A FUNDRAISING gift fair put on by Petersfield Save the Children volunteers has been hailed a great success by organisers after it attracted hundreds of visitors.
Held in Churchers College sports hall, the annual two day fair was busy from the moment it was opened by Petersfield Mayor Jamie Matthews at 10am last Friday (October 27).
He said: “It’s a pleasure for me to open such a wonderful event for such a really worthwhile cause.”
Inside the hall, more than 45 stalls offered a wide range of gifts to enthusiastic fair goers, including food and drink and festive luxuries.
Among the products offered by stall holders, some coming from as far afield as Yorkshire and London, were jewellery, glass ware, children’s toys, artisanal game pies, festive vodka and gin, and Fair Trade items.
Petersfield Save the Children chairman Prue Rushmer said: “We think over the two days more than six hundred people came in to have a look and buy items.
“We don’t know yet how much has been raised for the charity, but last year the fair raised about £9,000, and we hope this year will be about the same despite what appears to be an economic slowdown in the retail market generally.”
As well as stall holders donating ten percent of their profit to the charity, Save the Children volunteers also helped boost the total.
Prue said: “Our cake stand went really well, and this year we ran the café ourselves, and that was very popular, and once again the raffle was busy; I can’t thank enough all those who donated or gave prizes.
“More than 50 volunteers helped over the two days and did a wonderful job, and they deserve a huge vote of thanks for their efforts.
“It’s thanks also to Churchers College for helping prepare the sports hall, and to Petersfield Roundtable members for helping clear away at the end of the fair, it’s the fastest breakdown we have ever had.
“The Hometown Festival team also helped with posters and promotion, so thanks to them as well; the event was a real town effort.”