GEMS – Dec 2025
Well, what a year of fundraising we have had, supported by this fantastic community…
It all started withThe Clutter Sale at The Railway which was held in May and was a fantastic success. The road closure didn’t stop the good people of Kibworth and surrounding areas coming down to grab themselves a bargain. Everyone found something they liked, from purchasing a painting of Market Harborough church where a couple got married 25 years ago to children being delighted with becoming new owners of large cuddly toys.
Thank you to Sam at The Railway for allowing us to hold the event in the car park and a very big thank you to everybody who donated and purchased the clutter. It certainly was recycling at its best, raising GEMS Charity a whopping £1,856 – a fantastic amount, so please remember to save your clutter for next spring.
Smeeton Open Gardens
Smeeton Open Gardens in June, when a good number of villagers generously opened their gardens, and the Kings Head also hosted a variety of attractions throughout the day; plant sales, live music from Kit Blake and G to the C Choral singers, and a BBQ which was very kindly sponsored by Bridge 67 butchers. All received excellent feedback and the pub and garden remained full all day long. The gardens were kept busy with the largest number of visitors that we have ever had, who understandably loved and were delighted with each and every garden, enjoying a cuppa with a delicious piece of cake, kindly donated by locals. If that wasn’t enough, the fundraising continued with more great entertainment from The Oddfellows Brass Band’s Brass on the Grass in the evening. Everyone involved worked tremendously hard throughout the event, helping us to raise an amazing £7,000.
GEMS Golf Day
GEMS Golf Day was held at Glen Gorse Golf Club in August when we welcomed a great number of golfers and how lovely to welcome some female golfers this year. The weather was kind to us, allowing them all to enjoy the course and banter between the different teams. The day was very generously supported by everyone there and the sponsors helping us raise a fantastic £3,900
Indian Meal
Indian Meal at The Cuisine of India, Wigston in November, where guests enjoyed yet another delicious 3 course meal, along with lots of chatter, and fun whilst supporting GEMS. We were looked after very well by the staff at the Cuisine and received lots of positive feedback and requests for next year. Thank you to everyone who attended for your support which helped us raise a brilliant £1,773 – see you all next year.
The Kings Head have been hosts for various events for GEMS throughout the year, with quizzes, bingo, raffles and a vintage car treasure hunt to mention just a few, all of which have been very successful and great fun. Edd and Andrew continue to support us with a Christmas Music Night led by the amazing Kit Blake on Saturday 13th December, so please make sure you come along to join in the fun.
Wellness Bags
The Railway Arms very kindly hosted us putting together 70+ ‘wellness bags’ showing a fantastic example of how the community comes together. This was supported by local families, with the bags and contents kindly donated by The Forresters. The chemotherapy patients were so pleased and grateful to receive them, saying the contents really helped pass the time whilst receiving their treatment, and the thought put a smile on their faces. The Railway also donated the proceeds from their Christmas Light switch-on, another great, family event.
Christmas Hampers
We would like to thank people who donated items for our Christmas hampers along with The Kings Head, Smeeton, The Railway Arms and The Bulls Head, Clipston for supporting GEMS with Christmas Hamper Raffles again, so make sure you pop into one or all of them to have a go to try and win one!
Kibworth Bowling Club
The Kibworth Bowling Club chose GEMS Charity as one of their charities of the year, and worked hard throughout the year raising a total of £1537 which will be shared between GEMS and Prostaid, so many thanks for our share of £768.50 – so kind and generous of the members and local businesses.
Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone involved in these events; there are far too many kind people to list here, but you know who you are. We couldn’t do what we do without you. The money raised will go towards paying for patients to go for a night of respite at a local hotel, which was started at the end of October and is being very well received by the chemotherapy patients which makes us so happy. ☺
We would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Thank you so much for all the support shown throughout 2025 from all the wonderful, kind and generous people and businesses in this fantastic community – you have done us proud once again.
Please email gemscharity@gmail.com or have a look at our website to find out more and to see where all the help and donations have been spent.www.gemscharity.com
Sally and Andy Anderson
Cheese & Pickle
