The Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table (RTWRT) generated its record charitable giveaway following the fireworks event in November – the most successful in the event’s 60-year history.
But the fundraising group is now in desperate need of applicants to give the cash to.
“We’ve made £50,000 for charity, which is a record amount – we’ve never raised that amount before in one event. It’s a massive result, we are really, really pleased with it, and that is down to the public and their support,” Round Table spokesman Andrew Mockford told the Times.
“The requests we have received so far are the lowest we have had, which seems a bit strange for the times we are in.
“I think we have had less than £10,000-worth of requests so far, so we are calling out for requests from individuals or organisations in need of support.”
The Round Table will host a special giveaway event in March to give cheques to some of the successful good causes that come forward.
“All the applicants’ requests will be reviewed by the charity committee and decided upon by Table as a whole. The successful ones will be invited to the official giveaway in March, although the venue has not been confirmed yet,” said Mr Mockford.
Despite the pandemic, the fireworks display, which was held on November 6, was a massive success with crowds of more than 13,000 turning up in the park – the highest number recorded – for some much-needed cheer after the 2020 event was cancelled due to Covid.
RTWRT Chairman Daldeep Jaswal added: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to local people for coming along to support our event. It has enabled us to provide much needed funds for all those very worthy good causes and organisations.
“We are extremely proud to be able to hold what is likely to be one of our largest charitable giveaways to date, having recently held our most successful fireworks event.
“There are so many worthwhile causes in and around Tunbridge Wells and we are now pleased to be able to help them through what has been a difficult and challenging period for many.
“I’d like to express my gratitude for all those who helped on the night, including Pantiles Rotary, local Scouts and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School and other volunteers, especially my amazing friends and colleagues of Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table who give up their time to make this fantastic event happen each year.”
To send in requests for funding to be considered by the Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table, please visit: rtwrt.org
SIX DECADES OF SUPPORTING GOOD CAUSES: FROM NEW TEETH TO A MOBILITY TRICYCLE
Over the last 60 years, the Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table has backed a huge number of causes from its fireworks fundraiser, ranging from a lady in need of new teeth, to providing the Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance with a medical kit for one of their helicopters.
“When it comes to individuals, we were especially pleased to be able to buy a trike in 2017 for a child named Fenton Clark-Thomas, who had quadriplegic cerebral palsy and severe refractory epilepsy, that was specially adapted so he could get around by himself,” said Andrew Mockford.
“On a smaller scale, we once helped an elderly lady who hadn’t left her house in a long time because she was embarrassed by her teeth. So we funded some dental treatment which gave her the confidence to go out again.”
In the past they have also responded to requests for time rather than money.
Mr Mockford added: “A few years ago, the Round Table clubbed together and helped in terms of manual labour to repaint a property for a disabled lady in Rusthall who had been living in not very nice conditions and was struggling. We also drafted in some favours from local tradespeople to provide new carpets and a boiler.
“It was a bit like a mini version of Nick Knowles’ DIY SOS. It was great fun with a very satisfying end result and a much happier person living there.
“We also helped redecorate the Sea Cadets building in Tunbridge Wells, and one of our ex-Tablers who runs a large decorating company donated all the paint for free.”
