Autism charity’s fayre keeps festive spirit alive
AUTISM GUERNSEY picked up the pieces of the previous week’s cancelled Charities Christmas Fayre by holding an event of its own.
A toy and book sale was held at the charity’s headquarters in Grande Rue, St Martin’s.
Fundraising manager Mandy Rowlinson said great efforts had been made to stay within Public Health’s guidelines.
‘All the windows are open for ventilation, we have hand sanitiser, everyone must wear a mask and we have a one-way system to maintain social distancing,’ she said.
Funds raised were important to the charity and it had not wanted to defer the sale until next year.
‘We get no money from the States,’ said Mrs Rowlinson.
‘All the items on sale have been donated and are very reasonably priced so we thought this was the best time to do it.’
Volunteer Faye Pedersen made Christmas cookies which were on sale and there was free mulled wine for attendees.
Father Christmas made an appearance at one stage to hand out free Christmas gifts.
Civil servant Anne Falla was one of those attending.
‘I always go to the Charities Fayre at Beau Sejour and I like to support charities, particularly at Christmas,’ she said.
Another organisation affected by the cancellation of the Charities Fayre was Wayaya, which was set up by Marian and Tony Falla and Glenda Wiseman in
about 2008 to help children in Zambia.
Mrs Falla decided instead to run a pop-up shop from her Castel home from Thursday to Saturday, selling knitted Christmas figures and other items which had been donated.
‘It’s been amazing and we’ve done very well,’ she said.
‘I had no idea what would happen at all. We put a sign by the gate and it probably helps being on the Castel School run. Some friends of ours organised a raffle too.’
Mrs Falla said Wayaya would be represented at the St Martin’s Christmas Fayre which she understood would be going ahead next Monday evening [6 Dec].
