Christmas Events Raise £11,000 for Sussex Veterans’ Charity

This weekend, two Christmas events raised over £11,000 for Care for Veterans, a charity that provides care and rehabilitation for disabled ex-armed forces personnel and their families.

On Saturday (11 December), the Worthing Christmas Market took place in the grounds of the charity’s facility in West Worthing, raising over £7,000. On Sunday (12 December), a Christmas Carol Concert at Lancing College Chapel raised over £4,000.

The Worthing Christmas Market on Saturday was very well attended by the local community. The market was opened by Worthing’s Deputy Mayor, Cllr Richard Nowak, and offered a wide variety of crafts and gifts from independent traders. Live entertainment was provided by Royal British Legion Lancing’s Brass Band and Worthing Steel Band.

On Sunday (12 December), the Christmas Carol Concert took place at the stunning Lancing College Chapel. Filling this beautiful venue with Christmas Carols were Worthing Voice Choir, led by Shirley Linford. The event included readings from Nicholas Witchell, Royal Correspondent – BBC News, Neil Hart, High Sheriff of West Sussex, Cllr Lionel Harman, Worthing Mayor, and representatives from Care for Veterans; Andy Neaves, CEO, James Fanshawe CBE, Chairman of Trustees, as well as staff and resident veterans. Worthing Sea Cadets helped with the collection.

James Bacharew, Head of Fundraising and Marketing at Care for Veterans, said: “We are very grateful to everyone who came along to our events this weekend. Thank you to our incredible team of volunteers and supporters, as well as those who donated goods and services. It has been a challenging year for fundraising, so we are thrilled with the amount raised. This will help us to provide our life-changing services for those who have served our country at a time when they need it the most.”

Care for Veterans provides services such as nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy to help rehabilitate those who live there to live more independent lives. The charity must raise over £1.5 million each year to continue to provide these vital services for ex-Service personnel and their families.

For more information about Care for Veterans, visit www.careforveterans.org.uk, call 01903 218444 or email fundraising@careforveterans.org.uk

Did the Snowball Family make it in time to help Father Christmas?

Phew – they made it!