Choir on song to claim the 2012 Collection Challenge honours

And although the total was almost 10 per cent down on last year’s record total of £9,110, the provisional figure of £8,276, with a couple of buckets yet to be returned, is still one of the highest for the event and will be the most for any bonfire event in Sussex this autumn.

The money will be shared mainly between four good causes, the Littlehampton-based disability awareness charity Enable Me, Sussex Search and Rescue, which organises volunteer search teams to help Sussex Police, the Wick Information Centre and Worthing and District Scope, which supports people with cerebral palsy.

None of the collection goes towards the huge cost of organising the celebrations, for which Littlehampton Bonfire Society fund-raises throughout the year.

Every year the society holds its Collection Challenge competition to give an extra incentive to collectors, both groups and individuals.

This year’s winner of the group section was the Edwin James Festival Choir, with £750. The choir will be presented with the Frances Harrison Trophy, and a donation of £100 to go to the charity of its choice.

Last year’s winner, Littlehampton Baptist Church, had the second highest amount this time, £715, to claim the Laura May’s Cup and a £50 donation, while Skill Bodge was third with £550, and will receive the Henry Shine Memorial Cup and a £25 donation.

The David Jones Memorial Cup for individuals will be retained by the 2011 winner Allen Alderton, with £153. Roger Butterworth was second with £129 and Paul Howard third, with £118.

The Dolphin Pub won the pub category with £158.

Tyndall Jones, who exempts himself from the challenge, collected £1,240, a new personal best.