Charity Christmas fair gets cancelled amid Covid fears

There were due to be 250 stallholders at the annual Round Table event at Beau Sejour, which raised £20,000 last year for local charities.

Round Table President Joe Oliver said: ‘The idea of 250 stallholders and several thousand children and adults going into a crowded market environment, despite all the precautions we had taken, was just not viable in the present pandemic situation.

‘Guernsey Round Table is aware of the financial problems this might cause many of the smaller charities involved and will make appropriate donations in compensation for the loss of the event.'

Mr Oliver said that the charity would release details of its proposed compensation offer in the next couple of weeks.

The States has recently strongly recommended that masks be worn in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Yesterday, Guernsey had 508 active cases of Covid, and most charities said they understood the decision to cancel.

Local charity Wayaya, which sponsors orphaned children in Zambia, was among the smaller charities due to have a stall at the event.

Co-founder Marian Falla was set to have knitted gifts, marmalades and Christmas decorations on sale.

‘We look forward to it every year and we generally do very well, but it was not a surprise it was cancelled.

'We’ve decided instead to do a pop-up at home in the sun room at the back of our house.’

She added that although it was unlikely to raise as much money, she was sure the charity would be fine.

Autism Guernsey was also due to be at the fair, and fundraising manager Mandy Rowlinson said that she had expected the cancellation.

‘It is totally the right decision and it was not unexpected,' she said.

‘It is a hit but for us it is more about people getting to know about Autism Guernsey – we don’t just treat it as a fundraiser.'

The charity is working to arrange an outdoor sale next weekend instead.

‘It’s so people don’t miss out. People with families who can’t buy new Christmas presents and have had to tighten their belt this year can come and get bits second hand,’ she said.

Active Guernsey, which supports people with learning difficulties, also had a space at the fayre.

President Ray Peacegood said: ‘It is a shame it’s cancelled but personally I might have gone ahead, so long as people wear masks and sanitise and have their lateral flow tests.

‘We have to live with it, but I do see where they’re coming from,’ he said.

Since the pandemic began, the charity has had to miss out on several fundraising opportunities.

‘Last year was bad anyway because of Covid, and we haven’t done quite as well this year.

'I think they should have offered the charities the option whether they wanted to be there or not,’ he said.

n The Wayaya pop-up will take place at the Fallas' house in Les Querites, below Castel School, from 10am to 4pm from 25 to 27 November.