Large sums raised for good causes after popular Southwick Revival Spirit as new date set
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Magnificent achievement by organisers as numerous charities handed generous donations
Tens of thousands of pounds has been raised for good causes following a spectacular D-Day weekend.
The popular Southwick Revival, which saw the clocks turn back to the 1940s at the Hampshire village this summer, garnered healthy funds for charities this year. Horrible weather conditions didn’t stop the event from being well attended.
Committee Chair Martin Bazeley BEM announced that £65,000 was raised. This was generated from generous sponsors, volunteers and the general public. Funds were handed to the organisations at Southwick Revival’s appreciation evening.
The Armed Forces Charity (SSAFA), which supports serving personnel, veterans and their families, were handed £15,000. A large cheque was presented by President of the Southwick Revival, Colonel Jeremy Green OBE DL, and Emlyn Taylor, chief of operations at Lockheed Martin UK - the main sponsor for the event.
Another magnificent cheque for £10,000 was presented to Rowans Hospice. Deputy CEO and clinical director Jo Fricker, alongside dedicated volunteers Eileen Jayne-Wood and Chris Wood, received the donation.
Other organisations which received support included Hampshire Young Farmers, CPPTD (Vintage Bus company) Denmead and Wickham Scouts, Pompey Pals, Models for Heroes and the Soberton and Newtown Ukraine Support Association.
The appreciation evening began with the Glee club joyfully singing wartime songs while over 100 volunteers filled the D-Day Memorial Hall to capacity. The historic local pub, The Golden Lion, provided a generous buffet while committee volunteers served refreshments to their guests.
A film marking the dedicated work of the Revival’s WW2 Veteran’s club run by Dan and Sarah Major received warm applause. The couple bring local veterans together each month to celebrate local comradeship and centenarians’ birthdays.
Key sponsors were presented with scaled-down metal figures of the Southwick Giants for helping to fund the design and creation by local Hayling Island metal working firm Northshore. Chris Williams from Williams Shipping sponsored the General Montgomery figure and Lockheed Martin’s Emlyn Taylor sponsored General Eisenhower’s figure. The figure of Admiral Bertram Ramsay was sponsored by Chris McFaul from Blayde Security.
Next year’s Southwick Revival weekend will take place on June 12 and 13, 2027. The theme will be Woman at War, and tickets will go on sale on March 15. More details can be found on the Southwick Revival website.