A YOUTH cancer charity has announced the date for its Christmas fair.

The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation’s annual event, which brings in hundreds of shoppers each year, already has a number of stallholders keen to show off their wares.

This year the fair will be held on November 29 - and a few pitches are still available and traders are being urged to apply.

Nikki Bowdidge, chief executive and founder of the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation, said: “The Christmas Fair is always one of our favourite events.

“The whole of West Bergholt and Colchester really comes together for a bit of Christmas shopping and time with family and friends.

“It’s lovely to invite them into our headquarters and share the day together over some festive treats and mince pies.

“We have a few places left for any stallholders who would like to show off their wares.”

Along with Christmas decorations, handmade chocolates, books, clothes and specialised gifts will all be available at the event. As well as a heated marquee filled with traders, friends and family can catch up over a drink and snacks.

The event traditionally raises thousands of pounds for the Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation while also raising the profile of independent traders.

Tom Bowdidge, from West Bergholt, was just 18 when he was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma in his peritoneum and pelvis, an extremely rare and aggressive cancer.

He instantly set out to help others who found themselves in the same situation and raised more than £170,000 for charity to help put an end to the illness.

Before his death he decided he wanted to start his own charity

to support teenage cancer patients.

Tom died when he was 19 on October 18, 2013, and left strict instructions for everyone to “crack on”.

In 2014, on Tom’s 20th birthday, parents Nikki and Richard set up The Tom Bowdidge Youth Cancer Foundation to continue to carry on the work he started when he was diagnosed.

This year’s Christmas Fair will be held from noon to 6pm at 9 Firmins Court, West Bergholt.

To sign up as a trader email nikkibowdidge@tombowdidgefoundation.org for an application form.