More than 6,000 visitors flocked to the annual Rotary Classic Car Show and helped raise £35,000 for charities including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), writes Matthew Brown.
The popular event, organised by Bury Abbey Rotary Club, with support from neighbouring rotary clubs, took place at Culford School, on Sunday.
Around 600 cars were on display, including Morgans, Jensens and Ford Mustangs.
More than 40 car clubs were represented, as well as numerous individual exhibitors, with highlights including a 2004 Aston Martin DB9 and 1932 Rolls Royce.
Rotarian and lead organiser Peter Summers said: “This has been our busiest show ever, with blue skies and sunshine all day for the first time in weeks.
“We’re pleased to have raised more than £35,000 for EACH and the many other local charities supported by Bury Abbey Rotary Club.
“Special thanks to Culford School and all our 120+ volunteers. The successful coordination and input of so many people is a major task, but gives a great deal of satisfaction to myself and the team.”
This was the tenth Rotary Classic Car Show and the fourth at Culford School.
In the last decade it has raised over £130,000 for various worthy causes. EACH, which has three bases, including The Treehouse, in Ipswich, will receive around £18,000 from Sunday’s event.
In addition to the cars, there was also a wide range of food vendors, as well as local craft stalls.
Anna Bruce, EACH’s Senior Community Fundraiser for Suffolk, attended the event and helped man an EACH stall, which raised £271.
She said: “I had such a great time, as did our volunteers, and it was amazing to see the event so busy.
“It was so kind and generous of the organisers to support us again and it’s been great to develop such a meaningful partnership.
“The incredible amount of money raised is a massive help in enabling us to continue helping families across East Anglia, allowing them to access vital care and support when they need us most.
“Our stall also proved popular, giving us the opportunity to have some lovely conversations with supporters, as well as raising awareness.”
Pictures: Laurence Harvey (Bury St Edmunds Photographic Society) and Melanie Lesser (Bury Abbey Rotary Club member)
