On Saturday 16 September the 50th Eton Action Fair raised over £30,000 for this year’s five nominated Eton Action charities.
Over 3,000 visitors attended the fair, with local families visiting from Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead. All funds raised from ticket sales, pitch fees and pupils’ stalls going to the below charities chosen by pupils at Eton College:
- Siobhan’s Trust, which feeds and supports internally displaced refugees across Ukraine
- Action Cerebral Palsy, which spreads awareness of cerebral palsy and the issues facing children and young people living with cerebral palsies and their families
- ABC to Read, who support hundreds of children a year who are struggling to read by working with them in primary schools across Berkshire
- Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia and Alzheimer’s disease research charity
- Windsor Food Share, who provide non-perishable foods weekly as well as toiletries and cleaning products to any local household who needs it.
As the 50th anniversary of the Eton Action Fair, this year had even more to enjoy, including an inflatable assault course, the Ocean Express Play Bus, face painting and a bouncy castle. 100 local charities, artisans and independent businesses set up stalls to raise funds. The Eton College Collections also ran tours of the Museum of Eton Life, the Verey Gallery and Lower School, which is the oldest surviving classroom in Europe.
Held in the historic centre of Eton College, the fair also offered games, food, raffles, stalls and musical performances. They were joined by local performers such as dance groups, choirs, a search and rescue dog demonstration and a steel band, like that which opened the fair 50 years ago.
Dr Andrew Saunders, Director of Local Partnerships, said: “It was exhilarating to have so many members of the public visit us on Saturday. With the sun shining and the sound of boarding House stalls hawking their entertainments, it felt like the Eton Action Fair at its best. My step count got up to 35,000 – I have never walked 24 kilometres in such a good cause!”
Eton Connect Coordinator Eleanor Chownsmith said: “As this was the 50th anniversary of the Eton Action Fair, we went the extra mile to make it even bigger and better! With local entertainers, pupils’ musical performances, new food vendors and lots of family-friendly games to enjoy, it was a wonderful day celebrating five important charities.”
ABC to Read said: “We are incredibly grateful and thrilled to be selected as one of Eton Action’s charities. The financial contribution provided to us as a charity will ensure that many more children will be able to be supported this year in our local schools.”
Action Cerebral Palsy said: “Action Cerebral Palsy is thrilled to have been chosen as one of Eton College’s charities of the year. Action Cerebral Palsy is a small but ambitious charity which works to raise awareness of cerebral palsy and improve the lives of the estimated 30,000 children and young people in the UK with the condition. We look forward to working with Eton Action over the coming year.”
