In 2024, the Holt Scarecrow Trail marked its 12th year with the theme "CHILDHOOD TV CHARACTERS”.
Previously, the Holt Scarecrow Trail has raised over £18,000, firmly establishing itself as a cherished annual part of village life in Holt, attracting visitors from all over the country. This remarkable community event serves as a fundraising platform for worthy charities and local community groups.
In 2024, the Holt Scarecrow Trail raised nearly £5,000 and was one of our most successful trail to date.
We raise money for local/national charities and support community groups with funding for small scale projects or resources.
In 2024 £2,200 was divided between the following community groups in Holt:
Hi-Vis Tabards for 1st Holt Brownies
PA System and electronic Bingo equipment for 1st Holt Guides
Badge making kit for Broughton Gifford and Holt Youthwork Project
Weather-proof Notice Board for Holt Sports & Recreation Committee
Fire Pit for St. Katharine’s Outdoor Church
Pool Cues and Pool Balls for St. Katharine’s Youth Group (SKY)
Yarn for Holt Crafters
WHERE DOES THE MONEY RAISED GO?
In addition to these donations, the Holt Scarecrow Trail was very proud to give the National Deaf Children’s Society a cheque for over £2,200!
Elliot with Francis from SANDS in 2023
Elliot with the crew of Wiltshire Air Ambulance in 2022WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO IN 2025?
Alongside our continued support of local community groups, 2025 will see donations given to Dorothy House Hospice Care.
Dorothy House Hospice Care is the only adult hospice in our local community offering palliative and end of life care. They look after anyone aged 18+ with a progressive, treatable but not curable life-limiting illness or with severe frailty, and also their family (including children) and carers.
They were founded in 1976 and cover a catchment of approximately 800 sq. miles, with a population of around 593,000 people, across Bath & North East Somerset, Wiltshire and Somerset.
Dorothy House provides physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and practical support to those who need it. They’re available day and night to ensure that our communities have the right care, at the right time
Dorothy House offer their services totally free of charge, either at their site in Winsley which includes a 10 bed Inpatient Unit, or out in homes and community settings – where more than 90% of care happens. They look after more than 3,000 patients, and 1,000 friends/family members each year, but estimate that is only just over half of the people in our population with a palliative care need.
Their last inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated them as “Outstanding”, putting them in the top 3% of service providers in the UK.
Whilst Dorothy House is partly funded by the NHS, this only accounts for about 20% of their total expenditure, the rest needs to be covered by donations and fundraising. That means they have to fundraise £4 for every £1 received from the UK Government. They do this through their shops, gifts in wills, and fundraising efforts. To find out more visit www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/get-involved/
