The Pilgrims Hospice is to start the new year £1,000 better off thanks to the generosity of pupils, parents and staff at Birchington primary school.

A community festive fair also raised around £1000 for a memorial tribute in the school to popular and dedicated teacher Gill Day who died recently.

The event was opened by kmfm for Thanet breakfast presenter Johnny Lewis and entertainment came from the school’s Key Stage 1 and 2 choir, the All Saints Church bellringers from Birchington, jazz trio Ventiano from Chatham House Grammar School, Rhythm Nation and Elegance Dance Troupe.

Community warden Liam Doogan was Santa in the grotto, while an auction for work by local artists

Peter Buckley, Art 4 All, Aydin Mehmed, Yuri Taylor, Emma Impett and Sarah Scott raised £184.

Head teacher Kath Barham was on hand to offer face painting for pupils, while stalls included Quex Barn, WI, CJ Designs, candles, silver and amber jewellery and plants from the Secret Garden shop.

Raffle prizes came from 40 different shops in Birchington and Bugsy’s bowling alley, Framing Plus in the village offered free framing of two pieces of the art work, the Ladies Community at St Lawrence College donated bottles of mulled wine and the use of their table cloths, and staples at Westwood Cross donated £15 worth of vouchers.

For many the highlight of the afternoon was the appearance of two ponies dressed with reindeer antlers to give children trap rides.