Carnival committee donate moneyto local charities and good causes

Mayor Judy Rogers and Deputy Mayor Nigel Sinden attended while Carnival President Bill Wickings handed out the cheques.

Each charity described how they would put the money to good use and explained the work that their volunteers do and how crucial the help they give to needy in the community is.

Money was raised in Old Town Week in August by the hugely popular Pram Race and the much loved Old Town carnival which ends the events of the week.

Chair Keith Leech said new plans are underway for updating the Carnival and making it bigger. He announced that from 2018 the Carnival Court will be gender free. Next year marks the Carnival’s 50th and Happy Harold’ s 90th.

It is hoped more floats, more costumes, more groups and more collectors will make 2018 a year to remember.

Charities and causes supported were Hastings and St Leonards Voluntary Lifeguard Club; Hastings Sanctuary Service; Hospital Radio; Penny Beale; Parchment Trust; Citizens Advice Bureau; Hastings Coastguard; St. Clement’s night church; Snowflake Project; Seaview Project; Surviving Christmas; Hastings Bonfire Society; Fellowship of St Nicholas; Carnival FM; Martha Trust; Two Towers Trust; Hastings Pensioners Association; RNLI Hastings and Old Town Brownies.