4 October 2007

RSPB benefits from record £250,000

RSPB members in the Chelmsford area are celebrating a record fundraising achievement.
The Chelmsford & Central Essex RSPB local group, in 30 years of fundraising, have donated a record breaking £250,000 to RSPB funds. It is believed that this is the most raised by any of the RSPB volunteer groups from all over the UK.
This money has been used by the RSPB to help its work locally, nationally and internationally. The Chelmsford local group was the first local group to support a conservation project overseas – a first bird book in Morocco – and support has also gone to projects in Spain, Italy and the Seychelles.
But as well as thinking globally the group has acted locally, with support for the RSPB’s Old Hall Marshes nature reserve near Tollesbury and various other local and national projects.
Extraordinarily, several of the team of fundraisers have been involved for 30 years. Brian Hinds of Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, is one of these. Brian said: “We started with an experienced fundraiser and a small group of members who fast became friends, united by a love of birds and the countryside.”
Other leading lights in the local group over the years have included Jean Wilcox, Inez Mason, Roger and Gill Jordan, Stan and Jean Bradbury, Reg and Wyn Dermont and Michael Sayers, a team which has amassed more than 240 years of fundraising and is still going strong.
 
The group has run countless treasure hunt games and tombolas and stalls at events selling cards, cakes, bric-a-brac, books, plants and RSPB goods have raised much of the funds. Talks throughout the county have always been part of the group’s activities, both to give information and to raise money.
Highlights have included Humphrey Littleton performing with the Chelmsford Band at a Spring Fayre and the support of other celebrities including Bill Oddie, Tony Soper, Frank Thornton and the late Eric Morecambe’s wife Joan.
Local group leader, Mike Logan Wood, said: “I have the greatest admiration for our dedicated team, five of whom have each been involved for more than 25 years. RSPB members have supported us wholeheartedly as have the public as a whole and this is greatly appreciated. We’re looking forward to doing just as much in the years to come.”
Chris Durdin from the RSPB’s Eastern England office in Norwich paid tribute to the group’s efforts. “I’ve known the group for 29 of their 30 years and the expertise, enthusiasm and sheer hard work never fails to amaze me. A quarter of a million pounds is a huge achievement. The RSPB is proud of its local group in Chelmsford and is very grateful.”

13 October - A Christmas Fayre at the Ingatestone & Fryerning Club, 7 High St, Ingatestone.
3 November - A Christmas Fayre at The Budworth Hall, Ongar.
1 December - A Christmas Fayre at The Village Hall, Writtle.