We are proud to have supported the community of Gillingham with a donation of £1,000 as this year’s First Aid Sponsor for the town’s largest event of the year, the Gillingham Carnival, which took place on Saturday 5th October.
Our sponsorship was used to fund the event’s first aid equipment and staff and is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the community local to our Gillingham Lakes development.
The Gillingham Carnival is a traditional West Country carnival, which originates from the early 20th Century, and is organised by volunteers. The event costs £10,000 each year to run, and is funded through fundraising and sponsorships from local businesses such as Taylor Wimpey.
This year’s Gillingham Carnival saw a footfall of 10,000 people and started with a series of smaller events during the carnival week, starting on the 29th September and consisting of competitions, shows, a funfair and more. The main event kicked off on Saturday 5th October, starting with an afternoon Children’s Procession and followed by a Steam Cavalcade, a Majorette Parade, and finishing off with a Grand Illuminated Procession in the evening.
Mary Bailey, Chairperson at the Gillingham Carnival Committee, said: “Both the Children’s Procession and the Grand Illuminated Procession were of an exceptionally high standard, with an exciting number of juvenile entrants who are of course the future of the carnival. We were lucky with dry weather all day which brought out a good crowd to watch and I am pleased to be able to say that the First Aid cover that Taylor Wimpey kindly sponsored was only required to treat a minor graze.”
Roz Wells, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties, said: "We are delighted to support the Gillingham community with this sponsorship. This event not only allows Gillingham residents to enjoy a fun day and watch some spectacular performances, but also represents and celebrates the West Country identity and traditions this community is proud of."