Lowestoft Carnival raises �4,275

COLLECTORS were weighed down with many heavy buckets from coins dropped in by spectators along the route of the Lowestoft Carnival parade - and delighted organisers this week revealed the 'generous sum' that had been raised.

COLLECTORS were weighed down with many heavy buckets from coins dropped in by spectators along the route of the Lowestoft Carnival parade - and delighted organisers this week revealed the 'generous sum' that had been raised.

After the many thousands of coins from the buckets had been counted, The Journal can today reveal that �4275 was collected from the crowds who lined the streets at last Sunday's Carnival.

With over 40 years experience of organising carnivals, the Friends of Lowestoft Hospital were pleased with the success of the parade which included 35 colourful entries of decorated floats, six marching bands, Carnival Queens and majorettes together with scores of characters in fancy dress.

And yesterday (Thursday) Carnival Chairman Pat Rayner told The Journal: 'Although not a record breaking total, I am delighted with the sum collected, particularly in the current difficult economic climate. The sum is a very similar amount to that collected last year.

'On behalf of the patients at Lowestoft Hospital, who will benefit from the fundraising, I would like to say a very big thank-you to everyone who took part in or came to support this year's carnival parade,' she added.

At a ceremony held after this year's annual general meeting, hospital equipment bought through fundraising efforts, including previous Carnival collections, was handed over to grateful nursing staff by the Friends.

These items donated included a special blood fridge costing �4,500 and two electric rise and recliner chairs.