Record amount raised at Army Benevolent Fund's Early Early Christmas Fair

26 Oct 09

The Fair was officially opened by Lady Fiona Wall (centre), wife of General Peter Wall, the Commander in Chief Land Forces. Joining Lady Wall are (l-r): Brig Steve Hodder, GSM WO1 John Coles, Roger Mountjoy from Sodexo Defence, Colin Kenton, ADSL’s Garrison Facilities Director for TidNBul, Caroline Cary, Fair Organiser and Col Tony Moorby, Regional Fundraiser for the ABF.

Proudly sponsored by Aspire Defence for the fifth year in succession, the Army Benevolent Fund’s Early Early Christmas Fair attracted over 1,350 eager shoppers to Tedworth House in Tidworth recently and raised a record £40,000 for the Soldiers’ Charity.

Colin Kenton, Garrison Facilities Director for TidNBul Garrison, Aspire Defence Services Limited, said, “Aspire Defence has again been proud to sponsor such a significant event in the local area. We are delighted that the Aspire Defence Marquee continues to work so well and that the Fair raised a record sum this year, and we would like to thank all our staff who worked so tirelessly with the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) to ensure the Fair’s success”.

Presenting and receiving Aspire Defence’s sponsorship are Peter Smart, Chief Executive, Aspire Defence Limited; Colin Kenton, GFD for TidNBul, Aspire Defence Services Ltd; Caroline Cary, Fair Organiser; Col Tony Moorby, Regional Director of Fundraiser; Major General Murray Wildman, Chairman Wiltshire ABF Committee.

Caroline Cary, the Fair Organiser said, “I personally would like to thank everyone who supported the ABF’s Early Early Christmas Fair at Tedworth House – it was incredible to have surpassed last year’s total. It has become a very popular and major event in the local calendar which is evidenced by the amount of tickets sold and the numbers through the door. The stalls were fantastic and run very professionally with great variety, beautifully presented in a superb venue with a wonderful atmosphere. This is now the largest annual fundraising event for the ABF in the country, and never has it been a more important time to support the Soldiers’ Charity.”

Examples of some of the stalls offering seasonal gifts at the Fair.

Colonel Tony Moorby, Regional Director of Fundraising for the ABF said, “The support for this year’s Fair was better than ever, with the revised layout continuing to work successfully. We are so grateful for the fantastic support from our main sponsor, Aspire Defence, and also from Sodexo Defence.”

Together with Corps and Regimental Associations, the ABF disburses some £10 million a year to serving and former serving members of the British Army and their families when they are in need. Sadly this need continues to grow and this past year has seen a 20% increase to over 3,100 cases now being helped by the ABF. The amount raised from this year’s Fair has more than met the charity’s expectations and will help them considerably towards meeting these increased demands.

The date for next year’s Fair has already been set for Wednesday 29 September, so remember to put it into your diaries!

For more information about the Army Benevolent Fund visit their website.

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