Wimborne Rotary held a special thank-you lunch on 2 April to show their appreciation to those organisations that have helped to build the success of the club’s annual Great Santa Fun Run. Held at Christmas over the Badbury Rings point-to-point course, it is one of the club’s most successful fundraising events.
Among those present at the lunch were Martin Tory, who owns and farms the field where the run is held; Andrew Hunt, head gardner at Kingston Lacy, who assists with permission and access to Badbury Rings; Peter Shears, who provides the flat-back truck used as a stage; Peter Crutcher, who provides the PA system; Ray Russell of RSS Scaffolding, who erect the start-and-finish point; and Mike Stephens from Barclays who, through their Community Fund, match pound-for-pound the monies raised.
In the six years since the run was launched, more than £40,000 has been earned by the participants and their sponsorship for their own favourite charities or good causes. In addition, each year Wimborne Rotary has given donations from funds raised. This year – as the picture shows – donations were made to (left to right) Peter Thornton, for the John Thornton Young Achievers’ Foundation; Jane Nicholls, for the Cherry Tree Nursery; and Amy Kidd, for Julia’s House, all seen here with the club’s President Elect Alan Griffiths.
