3:40pm Saturday 15th November 2008
By Chris Kearney
Charities across the county are to benefit from one of the most successful firework displays in Oxford Round Table’s history – which raised an estimated £25,000.
Around 16,000 people turned up — 1,000 more than last year — for Oxford Round Table’s 41st annual firework display in South Park, Oxford, last Saturday.
Chairman Jason Priest said the event had been a “phenomenal” success and was now looking forward to dishing out the profits to worthy causes.
He said: “The number of people turning out for the event was up on last year, despite the wet weather, which is fantastic.
“We had a meeting the other day after the event, and we estimate we have raised £25,000 for charity.
“I have to admit, I was sweating a little bit on the Friday before the event with the weather, and then on Saturday when it was still raining, but it was fantastic.
“It was definitely one of the most successful we have ever done.”
More than £12,000 of fireworks lit up Oxford’s night sky before the event culminated with a 28ft wicker man being set alight.
Mr Priest said: “I think the wicker man was a big draw for a lot of people. Before the night I was getting so many calls about it.
“Normally it’s people calling to see when the display starts, but this year everyone wanted to know when the wicker man was being lit.”
Money raised on the night came from gate receipts, refreshments and the fun fair.
Mr Priest added: “We also sent members out to collect money from hundreds of people who stood outside the park watching the event for free — we managed to raise about £1,000 that way.”
A meeting of the Oxford Round Table will take place on November 24 to look at how the money will be distributed to charity.
Mr Priest said they may organise an event similar to BBC2 television show Dragons’ Den, where charities bid for money in a series of pitches.
He added: “We did something like this last year, giving charities the chance to pitch their causes to us.
“It’s a great way of finding out a bit more about the charities and gives us a chance to ask a few questions about what the money will go towards.”
Mr Priest joked: “If the girl who streaked on the night came forward, we would consider giving money to a charity of her choice, just for the comedy value of what she did.”
ckearney@oxfordmail.co.uk
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk