Surrey residents raised over £1,000 for the Cherry Trees charity, which offers home and respite care for local children and young people with severe learning and physical disabilities, at a Burns Night Supper in Guildford on Saturday 21 January. The evening was attended by around 100 guests and was organised by Guildford Chantries Rotary Club to support Cherry Trees and other Rotary charities.

With all the Burns Night traditions of piping in and addressing the haggis, the evening included a good helping of Robert Burns’ poetry, plenty of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, rounded off with a lively Ceilidh dance.  Favourite numbers included the Gay Gordons and Strip the Willow.

Cherry Trees charity was founded in 1980 by a group of parents and doctors and has become a lifeline for the families of more than 100 children and young people who are regularly cared for in East Clandon, nr Guildford – for a few hours, a weekend or even a couple of weeks.

David Greatbatch, President of Guildford Chantries Rotary Club said “Chantries is delighted to support the excellent work that Cherry Trees provides to our local community.  It was a real team effort on the night and thank you to everyone who came along.”

Members from Guildford Chantries and their Partners were volunteering recently at the famous Goodwood Revival meeting.  A social start to the day, found us eating baked potatoes and drinking coffee in heavy drizzle! Conversation swung around the impending fly-past of 10 Spitfires and where the best vantage point might be.

A couple of hours later and with many photos taken, it was time to turn to the main purpose of our visit – raising money for the Richard Burns Foundation. We stood at the main exit encouraging the departing visitors to contribute to a very worthy cause! During our shift, we enjoyed glorious sunshine and a shower or two, but we came away with the feel good factor warming the inner person. Next year, why not join us? You too might get to meet Laurel and Hardy!!