AN INSPIRATIONAL community group is calling on residents to help them raise £1,000 to ensure they can continue to organise charitable events in Andover.

Andover Community Events is a group dedicated to providing free family-friendly events and raising money for charity.

It is responsible for organising events such as the Andover Santa Cruises, Andover SoapBox Derby and the Santa Extravagnaza held at Thruxton Race Circuit, to name just a few.  

To host these events it relies on, and has been incredibly lucky in receiving, sponsorship from Andover-based companies. Last year alone the events hosted cost more than £15,000 to put on and this was done so without a single penny of public funds or grants.

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A spokesperson for the group said: "As we come out of Covid and sit in an energy crisis, sponsorship is even more precious, and equally as hard to get. So, instead of constantly asking the same very generous businesses for even more money, we have decided to take matters into our own hands and call on the people of Andover to help us raise some funds.  

"In 2021, one of the founders, Kevin Rush, undertook an Ultramarathon (100km) but halfway around was asked to withdraw on medical grounds. He has since been diagnosed with long Covid and Sport-Induced Asthma."

In a bid to encourage the encourage residents in Andover to part with their money, the 51-year-old will be taking on the challenge again.

Kevin is hoping Andover will get behind him and show support either by following his blog on Facebook on the page 'Fatty Not Quite Fitty', or even better sparing a few pennies through the Crowdfunding page on JustGiving titled Andover Community Events.

Every penny raised will be pumped back into hosting events, hopefully with some new additions for 2023, including a Eurovision celebration in May.

As previously reported, the team raised more than £7,000 for charity after Santa made his way around Andover in December last year. Thanks to the generosity of residents, the team from Andover Santa Cruises handed over an amazing cheque to The Countess of Brecknock Hospice. 

To donate visit justgiving.com.