Bonfire organisers to beat all-time charity bucket record

Littlehampton Bonfire Society said its current record of £9,122 is the highest street collection at any Sussex bonfire and carnival celebration ever.

All money collected from donations at the traditional bonfire celebrations, which take place on Saturday, October 29, goes to the charities and good causes the society supports.

The beneficiaries this year will include the Sussex Squids, a swimming club for the disabled, Wick Dynamos Junior Football Club and the West Downs Neighbourhood Watch Task Force.

Donations will also support Enable Me, a charity which delivers services for disabled people by disabled people.

The Sussex Squids will use the money to promote awareness of the club and cover running costs, Wick Dynamos Junior Football Club to improve their facilities and hold its six-a-side tournament again, and Enable Me will use donations to support their disabled volunteers. In order to achieve a new record collection the society is urging more teams of bucket collectors to enter its Collection Challenge. Richard Cooper, secretary of the society, said: “We need more teams of collectors to come forward. We are asking for teams of people to give up a few hours to collect during the evening of our celebrations, along the procession route, and at the bonfire and firework sites. “There is no limit to the number of members in each team. By law all collectors must be over the age of 16, although children can accompany an adult collector.”

The team that collects the most money will be presented with The Frances Harrison Trophy and receive a £100 donation to a charitable cause of their choice, with similar prizes also available to the groups in second and third place.

Entry forms for the Collection Challenge are available from David O. Jones Sports in High Street, Littlehampton or call Tyndall Jones on 01903 713146.

Times for the bonfire, fireworks and procession are in the society’s programme. Visit littlehamptonbonfiresociety.co.uk for stockists.