We raised £8,350 to give to various clubs, schools, organisations and charities. Our 2 main beneficiaries this year were the East Anglian Air Ambulance who were awarded £2000.00 and The Ely/Soham Food Bank who were awarded £2250.00.
Helen Bavester, Treasurer of Soham Benevolent Association, states “We gave the food bank £1250.00 in cash and decided as a committee, that we would see if we could work in association with the new retail store in Fordham, Fresh and Proper- distributors of Morrisons, and see if we could by some goods at cost with the other £1000.00. Joshua James, owner of Fresh and proper agreed to our idea, and they kindly ordered all Morrisons own brand goods at wholesale. Retail value would have been £1450.00 so this added £450.00 value to our original £1000.00 Donation.”
Joshua James states, “When the carnival committee came to me with this idea, I didn’t hesitate to get involved. It was a pleasure to work with the local community and I’d be happy to do it again in the future”.
On 4th October 2023, the goods came into Fresh and proper warehouse, we loaded the van and took it over to The Ely Food bank warehouse, where we unloaded it. Caroline at the Food bank was extremely grateful stating, “we’ve just had to go buy quite a few bits as our stocks have been so low, so this couldn’t have come a better time.”
The remaining £4,150 raised was distributed to the following other organisations: Friends of Soham Village College, The Crescent Amenities Fund, Soham Comrades Band, SCA- Jigsaw Magazine, Scouts, Soham Over 60’s, Soham Lodge Care Home, Molyn Care, North Chapel, KD Academy, Pos+Bility, Soham Community Archive, Helping Hands Gardening, Bumbly Bees Music Group, Day Centre ( Monday Club), Hedgehog Corner, Soham Playgroup, Elysian Riding For Disabled, Kuk Sool Won, Army Cadets, Highfields I Pads appeal and Newmarket Majorettes.
Our 70th Anniversary was a great success and we look forward to our next Carnival to be held on SUNDAY 5th MAY 2024, SAVE THE DATE!
Press release from Soham Benevolent Association
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