Wow, what a rollercoaster of emotions we felt in the run up to the market stall last week at the SHU Christmas Craft Fayre.
Our weeks of requesting/bugging you all to bring in your unwanted items seemed to do the trick and the one cage we had ordered from FD was nowhere near big enough, nor were the 2 tables we had to display our wares when we arrived in Hallam Hall on Thursday afternoon.
On arrival at Hallam Hall we were hit with a sense of dread. What on earth were we thinking? We seemed very out of place with our ‘Charity Shop stall’ around the traders that were already set up of beautiful homemade Christmas decorations, delicate jewellery and art. Nevertheless we borrowed some extra tables and started to display all we had to offer, spilling over and taking up any available floor space we could (an insurance nightmare for Liz, and a bit like my bedroom circa 1995).
Friday morning came, and the nerves well and truly set in. What were we going to do if this was a flop, if we didn’t sell anything?
Our first wonderful volunteer turned up to help man the stall at 10am when it opened and it is fair to say trade was slow, but some fellow market traders got the ball rolling and came for a rummage and to grab a bargain. That was the first of many, somehow throughout the day with the help of our many volunteers we managed to sell pretty much all your ‘stuff’.
We managed to raise and amazing £283 for Amy’s House which we paid directly into their bank account – that money will be added to our fundraising total, but will go towards their Christmas Fund which supports their Christmas party and presents for the kids.
We really cannot thank you all enough and your generosity, those who, came to visit us on the day and volunteered:
Donna McVeigh, Debbie Warr, Lorna Pettifer, Jackie Yarrow, Jo Murfin, Gemma Lancaster, Kay Simpson, Bernie Marshall, Ros Handisides, Liz Wallington, Dave Beckett-Smith, Karen Marsden, Jill Kitching, Vic Mottershaw and Graz Manchester.
We still have some ‘stuff’ left over and we will be having a chat about doing this again – so if you are planning on another clear out – hold fire for now!
