£40,000 raised through Tidworth's Early Early Christmas Fair
The event in Tidworth is supporting ABF The Soldiers' Charity
A spot of festive shopping in Tidworth last month has brought in more than £40,000 to support armed forces personnel, past and present.
The 2023 Early Early Christmas Fair was held at Tedworth Park, with more than 120 stalls set up for visitors to browse and buy from.
10% of all the sales made at the two day fair on 26th and 27th September, has gone to ABF The Soldiers' Charity.
More than 2,000 people went along across both days.
Sarah Rose Troughton, the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire was among those going along:
"The Early Early Christmas Fair exemplifies the incredible synergy between local businesses, sponsors, and the Army community. It was a great pleasure attending the first evening of the Fair, and I came home carrying a new large woven basket full of incredibly nice Christmas presents. My sincere thanks to Caroline Cary and her team and to the many generous supporters and stallholders.”
As well as the shopping, there was also a champagne and curry night to tempt in the guests, and book signings from former Army officer Lt Col Crispin Black, historian Jeremy Archer, and cookery writer Torie True.
Caroline Cary, who organised the fair, said:
"This year’s fair was all about community, and the British Army family is a nationwide one, which is why so many people travel far and wide each year to join in the fun. The event is also important for Wiltshire, where the Army presence is huge, so we always value the support we get year from local military communities.
"I would especially like to thank our long-standing sponsors, General Dynamics UK and Aspire Defence, for their continued support and to our new sponsors this year AeroGlow International, Warminster School, and Claire Calder Consultancy. A special thanks to our stallholders who work tirelessly to make this Fair one of the best in the country and who contribute 10% of everything you buy at the event to ABF. Most importantly, I would like to thank all those amazing volunteers who every year go the extra mile to help raise money for this Charity.”