68-year strong Christmas Fair Fund reveals dates for 2020

The show must go on, and it will in the case of the Christmas Fair Fund, says chairlady Gaby Lyle.

The Christmas Fair Fund, a 68-year-strong fundraising initiative, will be a three-day event this year, again being held at Collisheen Estate, Compensation.

Normally held toward the end of October, dates were shifted this year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This year’s event will run from December 2 to 4, from 9am to 5.30pm each day.

The non-profit organisation, The Christmas Fair Fund was started by a group of farmers’ wives in 1952 who were trying to help a local clinic sister buy a car.

The clinic sister was employed to service a large area, but lacked the means of getting around.

To raise funds, the group decided to craft home-made items and bake their way toward getting the clinic sister the car she needed, which at the time cost 100 pounds.

Through their efforts, 500 pounds were raised and, from then on, the fund continues to see to the needs of community initiatives between the Tugela River and the Tongaat River.

The fund sees to the support of roughly 28 initiatives, all of which rely heavily on its support.

This year will mark 16 successful years of holding the fair at Collisheen Estate.