Huntingdon Branch: Fundraising, Saturday 28th September 2013

28 September 20132 October 2013 Karl Webb Charities and Fundraising, Dawn Holt, Graham Holt, Hilary Meers, Karl Webb, Pete Aston

In the early hours of Saturday 28th September, S/Ms Karl Webb and Pete Aston set up a stall in Huntingdon Town Centre for a day of fundraising. This was the first time our new gazebo, chairs, and RNA pop-up banner had been used, but looking at it all decorated, I think we have spent wisely.

The Branch stall, set up for the first time

So with the sun rising, Pete and Karl donned jackets and awaited the town to wake up.

SMs Pete Aston and Karl Webb, suited and booted for the day — S/Ms Pete Aston and Karl Webb, suited and booted for the day

With two RN Ensigns flowing, our stall was easy to spot as people approached Market Square.

The view of Market Square and the Town Hall, our stall is easy to spot

During the day S/M Hilary Meers and her mum, Barbara, came to support Pete and Karl, and ordered us some hot drinks and a snack. Later in the day, our President, S/M Graham Holt and S/M Dawn Holt arrived; after an inspection, a seal of approval, and a generous donation from Graham, we took the opportunity for a quick photo call.

Our President, SM Graham Holt, and SM Dawn Holt are shown the stall — Our President, S/M Graham Holt, and S/M Dawn Holt are shown the stall

Time for a photo call: SMs Pete Aston, Graham Holt, Dawn Holt, and Karl Webb — Time for a photo call: S/Ms Pete Aston, Graham Holt, Dawn Holt, and Karl Webb

As we were in Huntingdon town centre, we used the day to try and encourage locals with links to the RN to join the branch. We took a number of names of those expressing an interest in the RNA; all we need to do now is wait and see if our numbers will increase.

S/M Pete Aston in 'recruitment' mode — S/M Pete Aston in ‘recruitment’ mode

We were really impressed with the support, and words of encouragement, from local residents and visitors; after a few hours, we needed to swap our full donation tins for some empty ones.

The view of the stall with St Mary's and All Saints Church in the background — The view of the stall with St Mary’s and All Saints Church in the background

As more people chatted with us about their time in the forces, we continued giving out RNA stickers (made by Pete) and some gizits from RNA HQ; a great hit with the kids.

S/M Pete Aston's 'RNA Stickers' are a hit with our younger visitors — S/M Pete Aston’s ‘RNA Stickers’ are a hit with our younger visitors

It was a long day, but if we have managed to inform people of the role played by the RNA, the support branches give to local communities, and raising funds for military charities, then we have been successful.

S/M Karl Webb, still going strong after nearly 9 hours!

By 1600, S/Ms Pete Aston and Karl Webb decided to call it a day, mainly due to the regular market stalls being taken down, but also because we had been here for nearly 9 hours! The last thing to do was to take down the ensign…no Sunset party, but maybe next time!

No ceremony, but a last look of the White Ensign before being lowered at the end of the day