The Charity Show

BITES #17: Bonfire Night: Sparks, spectacles and fundraising fireworks


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Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites — your quick-fire fix of surprising stories, small charity heroes, and the creativity that keeps the sector glowing.

With Bonfire Night lighting up skies across the UK, Tim and Piers turn their attention to the real fireworks - the fundraisers, volunteers and communities using the season to raise thousands for good causes. From lantern-lit remembrance events to neon carnivals and full-blown pyrotechnic competitions, this episode celebrates the warmth, generosity and community spirit that make November 5th one of the biggest fundraising nights of the year.

Episode highlights

In this episode, we explore:

  • 🔥 Flint RNLI Fireworks at Flint Castle – an all-volunteer event raising thousands for the life-saving lifeboat station on the River Dee.

  • 🎆 Huddersfield Round Table Bonfire – one of Yorkshire’s biggest community events, raising £30,000 for local charities including The Welcome Centre Food Bank and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

  • 🧣 Bradley Stoke Town Council Fireworks Night (South Gloucestershire) – every penny of ticket sales donated to Mamas Bristol and Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.

  • 🕯️ Saint Luke’s Hospice “Light Up the Night” – a moving blend of remembrance and celebration, raising £10,000 for hospice care in Sheffield.

  • 💡 Bridgewater Carnival – Europe’s largest illuminated charity carnival, generating £40,000 for Brainwave and St Margaret’s Hospice.

  • 🎇 Leighton Buzzard Fireworks Committee – over 60 years of volunteer-run displays, raising £28,000 for the Scouts and local hospice services.

  • 💥 Southport Fireworks Champions Show – a competitive pyrotechnic event supporting Queenscourt Hospice.

  • 🚑 Community First Responders & Air Ambulance Services – how local Bonfire Night collections are literally saving lives.


Useful links

  • RNLI (Flint Lifeboat Station)rnli.org

  • The Welcome Centre Food Bankthewelcomecentre.org

  • Yorkshire Air Ambulanceyaa.org.uk

  • Mamas Bristolmamasbristol.org.uk

  • Great Western Air Ambulance Charitygwaac.com

  • Saint Luke’s Hospice Sheffieldstlukeshospice.org.uk

  • Bridgewater Carnivalbridgewatercarnival.org.uk

  • Brainwavebrainwave.org.uk

  • St Margaret’s Hospicest-margarets-hospice.org.uk

  • Queenscourt Hospicequeenscourt.org.uk

  • The Good Studio – creative content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.uk

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This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠



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The Charity ShowBy Tim Beynon and Piers Townley