Generous traders and shoppers in Westbourne raised more than £3,500 for Macmillan Caring Locally – by holding a raffle.
Sandra Redknapp, who, along with football manager hubby Harry is a strong supporter of the charity, drew out the winning tickets.
Organised by Bournemouth Coastal BID, Westbourne Business Association and Westbourne Rotary Club, the raffle saw prizes donated by local traders.
First prize was £750 of vouchers for Westbourne restaurants and eateries, second prize was vouchers for local fashion shops and third prize was vouchers for local gift shops.
Macmillan Caring Locally funds Christchurch Hospital’s specialist palliative care unit and hospice, and also works across the community.
Sandra said: “This is an amazing amount of money raised for an amazing charity that does so much wonderful work locally.”
Fiona McArthur, manager of Bournemouth Coastal BID, said: “Despite the really hard trading conditions, businesses in Westbourne have still been able to support charities.
“The traders donated dozens of vouchers as prizes and shoppers really got behind the raffle by buying tickets.
“Westbourne has a wonderful variety of shops, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, galleries and cafes and there is a real community feel.
“Covid has been a real struggle across the conurbation – especially as it is so reliant on hospitality – and we are all hoping that 2022 is not as difficult.
“But the business community in Westbourne has shown what is possible when people pull together and support each other.
“All the shops look amazing and have attracted lots of visitors over the Christmas period.
“To raise this amount of money in the present situation is a testament to the generosity of those of live, work and shop in Westbourne.”
Notes to editors:
The Coastal BID runs from Westbourne to Hengistbury Head. It is one of two BIDs voted through by Bournemouth businesses in April 2012. In this ballot, 73% of those who voted supported the creation of the BID. There are 760 eligible businesses within the Coastal BID area, with a total rateable value of £30 million.
Business Improvement Districts, (BIDs), originated in Canada in the 1980s and quickly spread to the USA.
In January 2004 the Government introduced legislation which created the legal framework for setting up BIDs in Britain. To date over 185 have been established in the UK. They have been credited with halting and reversing the decline in many towns and cities. BIDs last for three or five years. Of the 87 that have come up for renewal, 78 have been voted in for a second term, usually with an increased turnout and majority. BIDs are successful!
BIDs work on simple principles. Businesses decide what projects they wish to undertake to improve the area and their profitability. Every eligible organisation contributes a small percentage of their business rateable value (usually around 1% or 2%). From these many contributions a significant fund is built up which has the power to make a real difference.
Based on a 1.5% levy the Coastal Districts BID generates a core income of c. £466,000. Because of the power of the BID it is possible to attract additional income through voluntary contributions and match funding for key projects etc.
BIDs make places more attractive and exciting to visit, reducing costs to participating businesses, increasing footfall and putting local businesses in control of the additional services which they have funded.
For more information contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media on 07788392965