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The Rotary Club of Canterbury was involved in setting up the Mayor’s Christmas Gift Fund sixty years ago and has maintained an involvement ever since. Four members, including The President, serve currently on the Charity’s main committee. Twenty four members assisted with the street collection on Saturday, 3rd December, alongside the Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Ian Thomas, who is – through his office – an honorary member of the Club for the year.
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The day dawned dry and bright and collectors and the passing shoppers and tourists were caught up in the festive mood created by a local street organ. This year, organisers were delighted to offer too the spectacle of members of the Corps of Drums of the Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment ‘drumming up’ a crowd!
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| Father Christmas & Rotarian Mike Bridgeford | Lord Mayor Ian Thomas with members of the Corps of Drums & Rtn John Beckett |
All in all, a happy occasion and a financially successful one for the Lord Mayor of Canterbury’s Christmas Gift Fund (Registered Charity No. 278803) who raised £1195.30 on the day. The charity needs to raise approx. £19,000 each year to cover its outgoings in providing over 500 grocery parcels for elderly and needy people of any age, living within Canterbury and its surrounding villages, as well as toy vouchers for children facing particular hardship.
President Harry swapped his collar of office for the red suit – as he deputised for St. Nicholas.
photos by Sheila Cragg
click on any image to enlarge
