We have received the following message from Brighter Futures:
Looking to the future and we have great news to share with you. Brighter Futures has once again been selected as the Charity Partner for the Enchanted Gardens Light Trail in the Town Gardens. We have a very good relationship with the South Swindon Parish Council, following a couple of meetings looking at the plans and showing an appetite to once again support them with the event, we were chosen. Our army of hardworking volunteers and our track record supporting previous events would have been a big factor in their decision making for sure.
For those of you have supported this event in the past, it really is a great community occasion and the festivity around the park enhanced by the illuminations is a real joy. The commitment is a big one as the event runs from Fri 29th November – Tuesday 24th December 2024.
Enchanted Gardens Light Trail: Home (towngardens-swindon.co.uk)
We are looking for volunteers to be both inside and outside the park this year. To raise further funds for our Way Forward Appeal Brighter Futures: Way Forward Appeal (enthuse.com) we have agreed to marshal the event car park at Commonweal School. As agreed in the partnership arrangement, we will receive every donation from those that park their car for the duration of the event – the advertised minimum donation is £2 per car. Car parking shifts will be between 4pm – 8pm. We will be looking to rotate those on the Car Park (in 2 hour shifts), so the more volunteers we have – the better. We are also reaching out to community groups to support us with the car parking duties, so we can fulfil every evening across the light trail.
Inside the park, we will help the South Swindon Parish Council sell their Christmas themed flashing handheld lights/merchandise (the charity will benefit from every sale), we will also be able to sell our winter raffle tickets and our wonderful seasonal craft items which are donated with love by our volunteers. We have agreed this year that inside the park, we will only commit to the dates that we can manage (based on volunteers and staff being available) – We are conscious of the lift for an event this big, so made sure this was a caveat. The earlier we get a steer for the levels of commitment from you, it will help us to plan. The aim once we have responses in is to formulate an agreed rota; we can then manage expectations of the South Swindon Parish Council.
We also need to know if you are happy to assist both with the car park marshalling? The role for marshalling is essentially taking their donation on a handheld cashless terminal and pointing cars to available spaces. And, if you are happy to be on the Brighter Futures stall inside the park, greeting and speaking to those booked on the trail, telling them about the Charity and selling merchandise etc. The charity gazebo can stay up throughout the event.
If you could let us know all of your available dates that would be amazing. If you could come back with dates available by the 30th September – even better.
Please kindly email your availability to gwh.fundraising@nhs.net
Thanks in advance for all your support, commitment and dedication.