Littlehampton bonfire organisers’ warm thanks to top collectors

The top collectors were on the receiving end again – this time to be presented with trophies recognising their efforts in enticing donations from spectators lining the procession route.

Regular contenders, Skill Bodge, won the team category of the collection challenge with £761, and received the Frances Harrison Trophy from Miss Bonfire, Jessica Baker, together with a donation of £100 to give to a chosen charity. The Edwin James Festival Choir, with £736, came second, earning the Laura May’s Collection Challenge Cup and a £50 charity donation. Littlehampton Baptist Church’s total of £688 was rewarded with the Henry Shine Memorial Cup and a £25 charity donation.

The Dolphin won the Pub Collection Challenge trophy, with £220, and Sylvia Taylor was presented with the David Jones Memorial Cup as best individual collector, with £161.

Tyndall Jones collected a remarkable £1,149, but once again exempted himself from the challenge.

A total of £7,746 – described as ‘disappointing’ by event organisers Littlehampton Bonfire Society – was dropped into the street collection buckets and will be shared between four main beneficiaries.

Littlehampton Swimming Club will put its cash towards extra higher level coaching courses and training aids, the grant to Arun Co-ordinated Community Transport will keep it on the road, East Preston’s community first aid responders’ money will help to buy a £1,500 defibrillator and St Barnabas House hospice will also receive a share.