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In 1974, the Commander in
Chief of Portsmouth Naval base decided that every naval
establishment under his command should support a charity of
their choice for one year. The staff at the Royal
Naval Hospital Haslar elected to support the local branch of
the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and set about
thinking of innovative ways to raise money. That
summer, a small group of intrepid walkers plus support team
set off on a non-stop walk from Trafalgar Square to Gosport,
some 85 miles.
Due to the success of this
event, it was repeated in 1975. A summer fete was also
arranged and the arrival of the walkers was supposed to time
with the fete's opening ceremony. It is not remembered
if this was actually achieved!! The fete at this time
was held in the hospital's quadrangle and all departments
contributed in one way or another to running an event or
stall.
In 1977, Silver Jubilee
year, the King George Fund for Sailors was supported as well
as the Guide Dogs and a decision was made that in future
years any money raised from the fete would be divided
between local charities and the Guide Dogs.
In 1991, the summer fete
had grown too large for its home in the quadrangle and so
was moved to its current location within the hospital
grounds. By 1996, when the hospital became the
tri-service Royal Hospital Haslar it is estimated that
£50,000 had been raised over the previous 22 years.
The Royal Hospital Haslar
Summer Fete now raises on average £5,000 each year and this
money continues to be divided amongst local charities. |
