THIS year’s Fishstock festival in Brixham raised a record amount for charity.
The celebration of seafood, fishing and maritime heritage made a surplus of £11,000 for the Fishermen’s Mission in Brixham.
Jim Portus, chairman of the organising committee, said: “Last year and the year before we raised £10,000, which was the previous record, but this year surpassed our expectations and wildest dreams.”
The six Fishstock Brixham events held to date have raised a total of £54,000 for the charity which provides emergency support and practical care for fishermen and their families.
Mr Portus added: “Brixham and other South West fishing ports suffered greatly in the winter storms of 2013-14 and while the fishermen could not earn from the fishing, the Fishermen’s Mission provided essential financial support for many families in need, unable to service their household bills.
“It is for the purposes of replenishing the coffers and to ensure future needs can be met that we organise such events as Fishstock Brixham.”
Superintendent John Anderson will be presented with the cheque on Thursday, October 9, at Torquay’s Palace Hotel, where the Fishstock team will be attending the Herald Express English Riviera and South Devon Tourism and Hospitality Awards 2014.
Fishstock has been shortlisted in the Tourism Event of the Year category in which the event won Silver last year and Gold the year before.
Mr Portus said: “I am very proud of the wonderful volunteers who give up so much of their time without reward to plan and execute the festival. It is a fitting tribute to their hard work that they have not only been shortlisted in these Tourism Awards, but they have been shortlisted in the Pride of South Devon Awards in the Community Group and Fundraiser categories. They deserve an enormous pat on the back.”
