A Burnham-On-Sea carnival club has suffered a 50 per cent fall in donations due to the difficult economic climate and is planning a series of fundraising events over the summer to try and make up the shortfall.
Hillview Carnival Club says the ever-rising cost of insurance, fuel and meeting safety regulations mean that it needs to raise around £12,000 each year to enter the carnival circuit.
But this year it is struggling due to a combination of factors. Mark Bishop, Chairman of Hillview Carnival Club, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We’ve been hit by the continuing recession, which has reduced donations, and the absence of a Glastonbury Festival this year where we’d usually be paid to marshall.”
“Also, the decision not to install hanging baskets in Burnham High Street is also hurting us because we’d usually receive income from watering the plants over the summer. All this has combined to cut our income by around 50 per cent.”
The club is already working on its carnival cart for this winter’s carnival season and needs the funding to ensure its entry is completed.
He said that a series of fundraising events are being planned over the summer, with the first taking place this weekend.
Tickets are on sale for a fundraising ladies night at the Oaktree Arena on Saturday June 16th from 7pm. It will include stalls offering beauty products, therapy, hair care, nail art and more. Tickets, costing £3 in advance, can be reserved by calling 07743 326 826.
Pictured: Hillview’s 2011 carnival entry, One Way Ticket, which cost £12,000 to make, taking part in Burnham’s parade
