THE MACMILLAN CHRISTMAS SHOPPING FAIR CELEBRATING THREE DECADES OF FUNDRAISING
DOMVS is delighted to be supporting the highly popular Macmillan Christmas Shopping Fair, which is being held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th November at Kingston Maurward College and is celebrating thirty years of fundraising. Over that time, it is estimated that the fair has raised nearly £300,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, and the Committee are hoping that this year proves to be one of their most successful yet.
Committee Chairman Rose Joly commented, “The Christmas Shopping Fair has become a firm favourite with shoppers seeking quality, unusual or discerning gifts that cannot be found on the High Street. Each year we feature nearly fifty stalls handpicked by us to ensure a wonderful choice and variety for shoppers looking for unique Christmas presents for their loved ones. This year stalls will include luxury clothing, jewellery and accessories, children’s toys, quality food and items for the house and garden.”
She continued, “The fair was originally started by Jilly Palmer, who was then Dorset County Chairman of Macmillan, and was held at Warmwell House. At that time there were only about three or four stalls with Committee Members trawling their address books for people to invite. The Fair’s popularity, however, meant that a more permanent venue had to be found, and Kingston Maurward has proved to be the perfect location. It is easily accessible and enjoys excellent parking, yet still provides the air of a country home with its beautifully proportioned rooms and character features.”
Chrissie Wathen-Neal, Macmillan Fundraising Manager for Dorset says, ‘The Macmillan Christmas Fair is now an established event in the county diary and is so well supported by the local community. As a charity we couldn’t do what we do without our wonderful volunteers and my thanks go to the committee members who organise the fair. 15 people a day will receive a cancer diagnosis in Dorset, and the money that is raised at the event will help make a difference to those people living with cancer in Dorset”.
The fair is open on Saturday 10th November from 10am until 4pm and on Sunday 11th November from 10am until 3.30pm. Admission is £5 per person. Further information about the Macmillan Christmas Shopping Fair together with a selection of this year’s stallholders can be found on their website www.macmillanchristmasfair.co.uk or by liking their Facebook Page.