An independent pet store has stepped in to make a crucial cash donation so that a much-loved carnival can continue.
The Totton and Eling Carnival, which has been delighting the local people in the district of Southampton since 1914, had been at risk this year because of a funding shortfall.
The end of a sponsorship deal with Totton College meant the carnival committee had to raise £1,000 to pay some of the bills that needed settling by March 10. Fundraising had taken the total raised to £287 before a public appeal for financial support was answered by Healthy Pet Store, which paid the £713 balance to enable the June 24 parade to go ahead.
Managing director Deborah Burrows, a Totton resident, said that when her team alerted her to the risk that the carnival may not go ahead this year she decided to step in.
She said: “The carnival and the parade of floats through the town is one of the highlights of the year for Totton, and I know a lot of our customers get a huge amount of joy from it.
“The thought that it might not go ahead this year because of this cash shortfall seemed such a pity to me. We are proud to be part of the Totton business community and we live in the town too – so we knew that if we could help we should help.
“I am delighted to have made the money up to the £1,000 that was required to ensure that, once again this year, the show will go on.”
Carnival Committee member and local town councillor Dave Hills added: “Traders like Healthy Pet Store are the beating heart of the Totton commercial community and their generosity means the biggest community event of the year for the town will be going ahead once again.”
