The Haddenham Scout and Guide Association's annual Scarecrow Festival this summer raised £2,000, almost double the total in 2024.
The cash has been split between two charities - the Cancer Care and Haematology Fund, and the Aylesbury Vale Prostate Cancer Support Group.
Most of the money raised came from sales of Scarecrow Maps (sponsored by Harpers Estate Agents), which were sold at various outlets throughout Haddenham and at several local events, including the Haddenham Fete.
Generous donations were also made online by individuals, families, Haddenham Baptist and Methodist churches and various community groups, including Alison Parsons at Thame Titans Netball Club, who organised a cake sale and Lisa Cook at Tiny Gym Haddenham, based in Unite Personal Training Gym at Bradmoor Farm, who set up a donations box.
Picture - some of the scarecrows from this year's event
Mike Snell, CCHF trustee, said: “We feel very privileged to have been chosen as one of the recipients for this cash and we are continually grateful for the generosity of the people of Haddenham. CCHF will be supporting some important cancer and haematology treatment projects in Buckinghamshire in the coming months that will continue to make a positive difference for patients’ experience, so this donation is important to us.”
Aylesbury Vale Prostate Cancer Support Group committee member Richard Veness explained: “PSA (prostate-specific antigen) testing events are open to any local man aged 40+ who would like a test, whereas it’s aged 50+ on the NHS. The man being tested pays £15 and we pay the balance. We are a small committee of six and we rely on donations from local organisations to subsidise PSA tests. The funds raised from the Scarecrow Festival will subsidise 100 tests, so we are very grateful.”
Haddenham Scarecrow Festival began in 2016 and has grown into a popular and established community tradition, attracting over 100 entries in 2025. In the last 10 years, the event has raised £17,500 for many local charities and village organisations.
The Cancer Care and Haematology Fund is a charity set up to help those diagnosed with cancer and haematology based illnesses and who are being treated by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. Through public fundraising a specialist unit – the CCHU - was built and opened in January 2001 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury. The charity continues to provide financial support for projects that benefit patients cared for at the CCHU, the Sunrise Unit in Wycombe Hospital and in community settings across Buckinghamshire and neighbouring counties.
The Aylesbury Vale Prostate Cancer Support Group was set up to provide support to men, their partners and families, at a time when they are worried about prostate cancer. They also aim to raise awareness of prostate cancer, the risk of getting it, its detection and treatment options. The group subsidises two testing sessions per year, one in Aylesbury and the other in Thame.
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