£1 to help save the carnival (From Basingstoke Gazette)

£1 to help save the carnival

11:00am Saturday 2nd March 2013 in Andover

A PLEA has gone out to the people of Andover asking them to donate £1 each to fund this year’s carnival.

The carnival committee has asked people in Andover to dig deep while the recession continues its icy grip on the nation’s economy.

With four months to go until the town’s big day of celebration, committee members are concerned that there won’t be enough in the pot to pay for it.

Carnival committee treasurer Sarah-Jane Grace said that another £5,000 to £8,000 was needed to make this year’s carnival happen.

“If you think about the population size of Andover it could be an amazing carnival if everybody put £1 in,” she said.

Chairman Carole Bazzoni said it was proving harder to get sponsorship this year.

“Because of the severe impact the recession has had on the companies who support us, the Andover Carnival desperately needs your help to raise the monies necessary to hold this free community event,” she said.

She added that she hoped people would come forward with fundraising ideas.

She said: “We are hoping that groups and organisations could help us by holding a small event such as a jumble sale, coffee morning, car wash, bake sale or any other creative event that could help raise money and promote the carnival.

“We give out some serious money to local charities.

“It’s about bringing the community together and realising that’s what it’s supposed to be about.

Families love it. This year is going to be as brilliant as ever.

“To be able to give the money to the charities that we’re supporting, we have got to be able to pay for the carnival first.”

Anyone who can help out with the running or the organisation of the town’s carnival is also asked to come forward.

To take part download an application form from andovercarnival.org or for more information contact Sarah via sjgrace53@googlemail.com.