Despite having to reschedule the Swanage Christmas Market at short notice due to stormy weather, Swanage and Purbeck Rotary still managed to raise thousands of pounds for good causes over the festive period.
Other events, which pushed the total raised to more than £16,000, included Santa on his sleigh visiting homes in and around Swanage, Langton Matravers and Corfe Castle, as well as delivering Christmas cards, and opening a pop up shop in Swanage.
Plenty turned out for the Christmas Market despite being postponed by a week
Delay didn’t dampen spirits
The Swanage Christmas Market went ahead a week later than planned, due to Storm Darragh, but the delay didn’t appear to dampen people’s enthusiasm as hundreds of local residents and visitors came to see what was on offer.
An unexpected rogue shower, which turned up just as the market opened at 10 am, fortunately passed quickly and was followed by sun, allowing everyone to enjoy and sample the wares of more than 55 stalls offering everything anyone could wish for at that time of year.
Accompanied by a selection of musical acts, stallholders stretching from the top of Station Road, right down to the bottom end of Institute Road, reported brisk trade, with the all new food court busy from the start, selling pizzas, bacon rolls and a plethora of other offerings.
The funds raised will go to the president’s charities which are End Polio Now and the Swanage Community Defibrillator Partnership, as well as many other local and international good causes.
Santa did the rounds of all the homes, handing out sweets and collecting donations
Rotary’s Christmas fundraising
- A very successful, albeit delayed, Christmas Market with more than 55 stalls participating
- A full programme of visits by Santa’s sleigh to the streets of Swanage, Langton Matravers and Corfe Castle
- The despatch of more than 2,700 Christmas cards to local addresses through its Charity Mail Service
- Filling more than 350 Christmas shoeboxes which have been sent to underprivileged children in Eastern Europe
- Providing 26 gift bags on Christmas Eve to needy local residents, thanks to the Co-op, Chococo and the Drago Bakery for their help and contributions
- Donating Christmas books to every pre-schooler in Swanage, Langton Matravers and Corfe Castle plus giving 30 brand new toys and games to families who may not otherwise have presents
- A popular pop-up shop selling a range of Christmas treats, with many items selling out very quickly, thanks to John Corben and the shop owner for making the space available at no cost to Rotary
President of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Maggie Hardy (left) at the Swanage Christmas Market
“A very big thank you!”
President of Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Maggie Hardy said:
“Christmas is an important time for everyone – not least Swanage Rotary where we aim to combine fun and fundraising. This year’s Christmas activities have raised over £16,000!
“None of this could have been achieved without the fantastic involvement from our loyal and supportive community. This group included many of our business partners to whom we want to say a very big thank you!”
Future Swanage and Purbeck Rotary events for 2025 are already planned including Silver Saturday, an afternoon tea for older members of the community, on Saturday 22nd February 2025.
A celebration evening will be held at The Swanage School on Wednesday 5th March 2025, where Rotary will be able to thank all those who helped raise money over the last 12 months and hand out donations to local charitities.
Further information
- More on Swanage and Purbeck Rotary website
