Children's Hospice South West (CHSW) is calling for volunteers to join their team of bucket collectors at this year's Shepton Mallet Carnival on 13 November.

The Shepton Mallet Carnival is part of the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association (SCGFCA) circuit, one of the largest illuminated procession series in Europe. Starting with Bridgwater on the first Saturday in November, the parade visits Burnham-on-Sea, Weston-super-Mare, and North Petherton before reaching Shepton Mallet, Wells, and Glastonbury in the following days. The carnival is known to attract tens of thousands of spectators from across the country and even abroad, providing a substantial boost to the local economy and raising funds for charities each year.

CHSW Area Fundraiser Kylie Gallagher shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying, "We have taken part in the Shepton Mallet Carnival for the last two years, and it's a fantastic evening for everyone involved. This year we're looking for volunteers to help us shake the buckets along the route and collect as much money as possible. It's a fun way to spend a few hours, be part of the carnival, and support a wonderful cause which benefits families across Somerset."

This year, the CHSW team will be dressed in Santa suits to promote the charity's Santas on The Run event, a festive 2k fun run taking place at Charlton Farm in Wraxall on 8 December. The event sees hundreds of participants donning costumes for a run around the hospice grounds.

Anyone interested in volunteering to collect donations at the Shepton Mallet Carnival can contact Kylie Gallagher on 01275 866600 or by emailing [email protected]. More information about the Santas on the Run event and registration details are available on the CHSW website.