Creative fundraisers honed their skills to raise more than £1,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Colchester Woodturners club members crafted an array of festive gifts which they sold at the town’s Christmas market.
More than 200 eye-catching items were snapped up, from miniature snowmen, candle holders and bowls to wooden pencils, animals and objects to hang on Christmas trees.
They ranged in price from £4 to £35 and, after a busy afternoon selling their wooden wares, the group raised £1,053.
A range of donated tools were then sold at the club, which helped nudge the final total to £1,150.
“It’s become a tradition to have a stall at the market and we raise money for a different charity every year,” said vice-chairman Alan Essam.
“EACH seemed a great choice and it was in my thoughts because I live round the corner from its Angora Park shop, in Stanway.
“I often donate items and when I told fellow members about the great work it does, everyone was very supportive.
“We were pleased and proud to raise as much as we did, especially given it poured with rain on the day.
“Despite that, lots of people turned out and gave generously.
“We must also thank Colchester Council, which allowed us to have a stall free of charge, because we were raising money for charity. It also kindly supplied us with a gazebo and electricity.”
Colchester Woodturners, which is part of a national association, consists of nearly 50 members. They meet regularly each month.
Members use tools, chisels and lathes to make their wooden creations and Alan said: “We’ve had more people join in the last couple of years than in the decade before Covid.
“We’ve also welcomed more women and young people to our club and it’s a great hobby to have. Personally, I find it relaxing and therapeutic.”
Ali Butler, a senior community fundraiser at EACH, said: “It’s an amazing total and we’re extremely grateful to everyone at Colchester Woodturners.”
