A permanent fixture in Bude that has been running for the last 24 years has been the Pendeen Car Boot Sale, which has been a lot more than just buyers and sellers of second-hand goods.

Pendeen has been a base for various organisations and local charities to raise money over the years. This year has been no exception, especially for the League of Friends of Stratton Hospital, as they have managed to raise an impressive £10,230.90 from donations and collections, which has helped towards them recently reaching their £1-million target.

The League of Friends of Stratton Hospital assist patients and former patients of the hospital, and other people in the community who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped, infirm or in need of assistance, and generally support the charitable work of Stratton Hospital and community healthcare services in the area served by the hospital.

Chris Heard, who has been running Pendeen Car Boot Sale with the help of his wife Sandra, has said they have always welcomed the League of Friends to raise money. Chris explained: “We have supported them since 2006 simply because of the local support to Pendeen and the hospital is something that everyone may need to benefit from at some time and it needs to continue.”

Since the League of Friends began collecting at Pendeen it has managed to raise the sum of £64,785.59, from money donated or raised there.

Chris continued: “Having now organised 24 seasons from humble beginnings, we are as you probably know one of the largest and most popular in the South West.”

The grand total raised this year for various organisations stands at £15,530.90. Those also benefitting include Friends of St Andrew’s Church, £2,000; Stratton Primary School, £1,000; Stratton Men’s Institute, £1,000; Bude Metric Brass, £500; Cats Protection, £300; Stroke Association, £250; and Stratton Methodist Church, £250.

Located off the A39 Bude junction on Binhamy Road in Stratton, this car boot takes place every Sunday and bank holiday Monday from early April until September/ October (weather permitting). Open from 10am for sellers and 1.30pm for buyers it also opens on Thursdays during the school summer holiday and on Easter Sunday.

So far this year at the Pendeen Car Boot Sale a total of £134,344.19 has been raised for charitable causes and local organisations. Chris admitted that this was a unique figure to be raised and given away at such a venue. He added: “But with our generosity charities and different organisations come and sell at Pendeen having a free pitch instead of paying elsewhere, raising thousands on a yearly basis for their good causes.

“So in all Pendeen has made a huge difference to many clubs that may not have been able to continue financially with out our help.

“I have always said that once £100,000 had been achieved that would be it, but here I am still continuing and raising nearly half as much again.”

Anne Furse, the vice chairman of the League of Friends of Stratton Hospital was very grateful for the continued support from the organisers. She said: “This year was a record in the money raised from collecting there, the generosity of the visitors and the locals is amazing.

“The League of Friends of Stratton Hospital would like to say a big thank you to Chris and Sandra for their continued kind generosity, allowing our volunteers to collect donations at Pendeen Car Boot Sale.

“Also thanks to Carol and John who supervise the weekly collections. This year we’ve broken the record raising £10,230.90 from collections. Thanks must also be given to locals and visitors to the area.

“We have been collecting at Pendeen since 2006 and have raised a grand total of £64,785.59. It’s well worth getting yourself out there and it’s enjoyable. If you tell visitors it’s for the hospital they are always so generous.

“It’s been a really great result and it’s all down to local people.”