SANDFORD Craft Fair held on Saturday, November 16, in Sandford Parish Hall, was a lively and really well-attended event, and a fundraising success.

This year children and young people played a key role.

As Bindy Saywood, the Craft Fair organiser, explained: “People really enjoy the craft fair, the café, raffle and stalls selling a wide range of art, crafts and gifts from right across Devon.

“We always have a great team of volunteers, but this year children and young people stole the show, with not only young volunteers but also young fundraisers and young craft makers. Each of them playing their part in the success of the day.”

The stage area was a hive of activity, with children taking part in a variety of crafts from decorating pots, badge making, making beeswax candles, decorated jam jars and reindeer headbands.

Sandford pupils, Rosie Mcculloch, Maybel Mcculloch, Eve Parsons, Oscar Wilk as well as QE pupils, Freya Parsons and Tierney Fryer, all helped Jo Mcculloch, the craft activity organiser.

Jo commented that the children did an amazing job, adding that they even helped to clear up at the end of the day!

Both Bindy and Jo agreed that they all deserve a big “thank you”.

A young fundraiser took centre stage in choosing the good cause for this year’s raffle.

Sadie Vaughan, a pupil at Hayward’s Primary School, asked Bindy if it was possible for funds to be raised for Exeter Leukaemia Fund.

She created a small display with information about the work of ELF and she and her friend, Tess Cameron, from Sandford School helped with the raffle through the afternoon.

Bindy said: “I was really happy that the Craft Fair was supporting a local charity and one which had been suggested by a young person who wanted to make a difference.

“The money raised will go to helping blood cancer patients and their families with support, transport, hospital accommodation, advice and extra nursing at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

“QE pupils, Tilly Paul and Hetta Peck, also helped all morning on the raffle.”

Bindy added: “All our young helpers have been given a Young Volunteer’s Certificate as an acknowledgement of their help.”

Bindy added that the stars of this year’s Young Crafters Corner were brothers, Zak and Luke Elliot.

She explained: “They were so popular selling their hand-made bat and bird boxes that, even though they had a large number ready for sale, by the end of the afternoon they had not only sold out, but they had also taken three commissions!”

This year the craft fair raised a total of £1,725 which has been split between several good causes.

The café and craft activities raised £825 for Friends of Sandford School. This money is earmarked for creative projects within school. It is used to pay for equipment, workshops and trips for music, drama, art and basically anything which encourages the children’s creativity.

The Craft Raffle raised £345 for Exeter Leukaemia Fund and £100 for ActionAid.

The summer Sandford Craft Fair at Crediton Festival, and the November fair, together raised a combined total of £500 for the British Red Cross Refugee Appeal.