Country life event raises £40,000 for two local causes

Organisers of last year’s entertainment packed Euston Rural Pastimes country fair raised £30,000 for St Nicholas Hospice Care and £10,000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The annual event at Euston Park on the Duke of Grafton’s Estate, is a celebration of country life with craft and country skills demonstrations, animal shows, classic cars, steam engines, model aircrafts, food stalls as well as activities to entertain the children. Around 10,000 people attend the event and the £40,000 raised for the two charities is from entrance fees, exhibitor and stallholder fees, catering and a legacy donation.

 Chris Fogden, the chairman of the organising committee, said:

 “I am very pleased, on behalf of a wonderful band of volunteers to be able to donate the money raised from the event to such excellent causes.”

 Miranda McCoy, St Nicholas Hospice Care’s community fundraiser, said:

 “Euston Rural Pastimes is a great day out for the family with lots of things to see and enjoy. It is a huge favourite with our supporters and volunteers and indeed with the staff.

“The organising committee has supported us for many years and we consider ourselves extremely lucky to be one of the many benefitting charities of such a brilliant event.”

Sophie Mathew, East Anglian Air Ambulance, community fundraising manager for Norfolk and Suffolk, said:

“We are extremely grateful that the organising committee has chosen to support our charity for another year. We simply couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community, so a huge thank you goes out to the committee and all of supporters who attend. The event is a real pleasure to be involved in alongside other local charities and we can’t wait to see what is lined up for this year.”

The organisers are preparing for another Euston Rural Pastimes country fair on Sunday, 9 June, from 10am.

The event has two new features this year, horse whisperer and stunt rider Guido Louis, will be showcasing his skills throughout the day and renowned dog writer, David Tomlinson, will be organising a family dog show.

Euston Farms will be running trailer tours to see livestock, crops and wildlife and St Genevieve’s Church, will be hosting a flower festival. There will be also be a tea tent, bar, food outlets and trade stands spread across the Euston park site.

All proceeds from the event which has raised over £500,000 since its inception in 1991, will be split between St Nicholas Hospice Care and East Anglian Air Ambulance and other local good causes.

For more information or to buy reduced price advance tickets, go to www.eustonruralpastimes.org.uk

Well-behaved dogs are very welcome on the showground.

The show is at Euston Park, Euston, Suffolk, IP24 2QH, on the A1088 between Thetford and Ixworth.