Tamworth Racecourse was the venue for this annual fundraiser for the Brain Foundation, with this year’s fair – the 11th – held on a Sunday instead of a Saturday for the first time.

Brain Foundation Tamworth branch president Pip Warner said having the fair on a Sunday had been a good decision because it wasn’t competing with children’s sport or people having to work.

“We’re pleased – people seem to have flocked to the racecourse to experience the wonderful market atmosphere and purchasing Christmas presents and catching up with friends,” Mrs Warner said.

“I think we’ve had a record gate attendance already because we’ve had to redo the tokens ... I’d really like to thank the Tamworth public once again for supporting us in such a sensational manner.’

Mrs Warner said late yesterday morning that they hoped to raise $20,000.

“Last year, we raised $15,000 – the day was cut short with a massive hailstorm,” she said.

Mrs Warner said it was vital to raise money for research to benefit research into brain diseases such as dystonia (which causes muscle tremors). “It is, because the government cuts funding each year and, without the research, you can’t find a cure,” Mrs Warner said.

Sixty stallholders were there yesterday including Olivique (Coolatai), mabel ave (Sydney) and Tamworth businesses The Magic Pudding and Denny’s Bags and Baskets.

Two Brain Foundation employees also came up from Sydney to support the event.

The cakes made by the local branch had mostly been snapped up early.

Mrs Warner said five new committee members had joined the local branch committee this year.

“We’ve had a bit of a changing of the guard,” she said.