Brain Foundation Christmas fair tally expected to reach $15,000 for research

The Tamworth committee of the Brain Foundation held its annual Christmas fair, which kept stallholders busy all day at the racecourse.

Committee media co-ordinator Susi Bell said this year was “very well-attended” with a slightly cooler day on offer than last year. 

“Even though it was still very warm, people were able to come out and stay a bit longer,” she said.

“It was quite pleasant, and we had lots of new stalls as well as the repeat stallholders.” 

Mrs Bell said people enjoyed the variety and convenience of doing their Christmas shopping at the fair, while supporting a worthy cause.

“There is a lot of choice in the one spot,” she said.

“You see people going around with a list ticking off stuff, but you can also see people browsing and choosing what they want to buy, so there is a mix of all different sort of people who to want to shop there. 

“It is also very child-friendly with a jumping castle and things for the children to do, and it’s very social, so people catch up with people they haven’t seen for a while. It’s not just a rush-in, rush-out job like it is in the shops.”

Mrs Bell thanked all the sponsors of the event and said the committee was likely to raise at least $15,000 from the day and the associated raffle. The money will go directly towards a scientist doing brain research.

“It’s the only committee outside of Sydney that fundraises for the Brain Foundation,” she said.

“It was good to see some of the older children of the committee members coming along to help – it’s very important for the next generation to come alive and keep the committee and fundraising going.”