Press Release:
Following numerous nominations received, Ross-on-Wye Town Council is delighted to announce that there will two outstanding local people turning on the town’s Christmas Lights this year at the Christmas Fayre on Sunday 1st December.
Our Christmas Fayre lights switch on sponsors, REHAU and Dawleys, picked this year’s winners – Charlie Bowden and Tom Dudziec.
Charlie Bowden has been on a mission this year to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support following his mother’s bowel cancer diagnosis a few years ago.
The family have been through a tough time, and it has been quite a journey but after a major operation and numerous treatments his Mum, Sarah, is now cancer free.
Charlie has set a fundraising target of £12,000 and he is well on his way of achieving this figure. To raise
funds, he has organised various events including a tennis tournament and netball tournament, cake sale and benefit gig, as well as spending his summer doing gardening jobs.
But perhaps his biggest event to date was climbing Kilimanjaro with his Father, Tony, in October.
They both reached the summit in good time however it wasn’t without drama after Tony fell ill and was airlifted from base camp. He has since made a full recovery.
Charlie said: “I was surprised to hear the news I was nominated and selected to turn on the lights. I am extremely proud of this achievement. I have had a very busy year of fundraising and I would like to thank everyone who has supported me on this journey.”
On choosing the charity, Macmillan, Charlie said: “We have always supported cancer charities, and sadly not all families are as fortunate as we have been with Mum’s recovery, therefore as a family we
wanted to support them this year as much as we could. To date I have raised almost £9,000
of my £12,000 target.”
Our other switch on star, Tom, has been a volunteer coordinator for Hereford and Worcester Community First Responder’s Ross-on-Wye Scheme for over 12 years, and has committed up to 1000 hours annually to supporting the community of Ross.
He ensures all the local community first responders are up to date with new procedures and training, and has a real commitment to educating the public on CPR and AED’s.
Tom said: “I am extremely grateful for being nominated and ultimately chosen by the
community for this honour.
“I give up a lot of my time, as do others, for the town. It is a great honour to be picked as one of the ‘switch on stars.”
Ross-on-Wye Christmas Fayre and Lights Switch on takes place on Sunday 1st December, Ross town centre, 11am – 5pm, which the switch on at 4.30pm.
A huge thank you to our sponsors REHAU, Dawleys, Taylor Wimpey and HCR Law.
