Carnival funds distributed
“The Committee was pleased to be able to distribute £5,000 this year, despite large increases in the cost of running the Carnival”
At the recent Leighton-Linslade Carnival Presentation Night, we were pleased to award a total of £5,000 to over 20 groups and charities benefiting the people of our community. We are grateful to everyone who supported Carnival 2026 to allow us to be able to help these groups.
The groups to benefit this year were 4th Dunstable Scout Group, 5th Leighton Buzzard Brownies, 7th Leighton Buzzard Rainbows, Artbox LB CIC, Bedfordshire Health Radio, British Legion Poppy Appeal, Buzzer Bus, Cedars Upper School, Clipstone Brook Association, Dogs for Good, Dunstable Quilt and Stitch, Hospice at Home Volunteers, LB RBL Club, Leighton Buzzard Scooter Club, Little Miracles, Reclaim Life, Rotary Club “Yes We Can” programme, Tibbs Dementia Foundation, Willow Bank cul-de-sac green space.
In addition, each of our Ambassadors were able to nominate a group or cause of their personal choice to receive a donation. Ambassador Esme nominated Medical Detection Dogs, Ambassador Lily nominated the MPS Society and Ambassador Vivien nominated Freddie & Friends to receive their donations. The Committee nominated Little Miracles to receive a donation as a charity supported by our late colleague Beverley.
Carnival Ambassador Esme told us: “I have witnessed the work this charity does with volunteers taking dogs around Leighton Buzzard to socialise in shops, doctors and Libraries. Megan who used to work for the charity was the one to introduce us to the charity a good few years ago. Since then, I have seen the dogs with the red medical detention vests with volunteers training them with different situations in my town. I have also seen what they do in Great Horwood on the Medical Detection Dogs website to detect diseases, help people with illnesses. Dogs are great not just a pet but for people who need help everyday with the illnesses.”
Carnival Ambassador Lily said of her nomination: “I chose the MPS Society because they have provided lots of support for me and my family over the years. Living with a metabolic condition isn’t always easy and having an organisation like the MPS Society who offer support is so important.”
Carnival Ambassador Vivien explained her choice: "I chose the charity "Freddie and Friends" because everybody should have a chance to feel accepted for who they are. All kids love to play, Freddie and Friends Cafe helps parents and kids with health problems feel comfortable. It is also hard to find money as a local charity, because the only people contributing are from Leighton Linslade, and I thought they might need some extra help."
Carnival Chairman, Mark Freeman, explained: “The Committee was pleased to be able to distribute £5,000 this year, despite large increases in the cost of running the Carnival. All the causes are very deserving and deserving of support. The Ambassadors have all told of their reasons for their personal nominations, and the Committee were again pleased to nominate Little Miracles – supporting children with additional needs. This was the charity supported by the family of our colleague Bev, who we sadly lost last year.”
Our thanks to Leighton Buzzard Royal British Legion Club for hosting the Presentation Evening again, in addition to our regular committee meetings.