Rotary visit airport forChildren in Need funds

103 volunteers made up of Rotarians, their family and friends, Forest School students and mascots and their minders descended upon Gatwick airport.

The collection and activities covered both terminals of the airport and was carried out around some fun performances from Children’s TV stars Dick n Dom and Dave Benson Phillips who helped draw a crowd and entertain Chestnut Tree House children and their families during a tea party laid on by Gatwick Airport.

Pudsey bear toured the airport throughout, taking the shuttle between terminals, meeting and greeting young and old alike often accompanied by one of the other six large furry mascots, including Horsham’s very own ‘Ringo’, who were all on duty adding to the fun atmosphere.

The collection and activities covered over 22 hours with a good number of the volunteers, including Pudsey himself, going through security into the more lucrative shops, restaurants and bars airside.

Most importantly £5,000 was raised and will be added to Rotary’s overall total for the year as main partners of BBC Children in Need.

Horsham Rotary Club and Horsham District Council also organised a Children in Need party in the Carfax on Thursday, October 29 that featured Pudsey, Dave Benson Phillips and a number of Halloween activities.

Despite the awful weather hundreds of families had fun and added to the funds raised.

The BBC sent a film crew to Horsham and a short clip was shown on the main BBC Children in Need TV show on Friday November 13; so if you were there in the Carfax you may have seen yourself on TV.

Report and pictures contributed by Dave Smith, The Rotary Club of Horsham.