It was the 5th year that Safe in Sussex has held their signature Business/Community Gingerbread House Decorating Competition with a record breaking 22 local businesses taking part.  A competition for the public was also held and this included a Freestyle competition where participants created their own Gingerbread House from scratch to show their creative talents. All the competitions were judged on Imagination, Inspiration & Appearance. A total of 184 gingerbread house packs were made by Gingerbread World for the event.

The charity was very fortunate to have two businesses sponsor the Gingerbread Fundraising event, with CommPoint, the main sponsor for the second year running. And Equity Release Sussex who kindly sponsored the Freestyle competition this year.  Equity Release Sussex also sponsored two Refuges along with EJ Moyle LLP who also sponsored a refuge enabling women and children to participate. 

 The winners this year included, Ellie, aged 12 who won the Children’s decorating competition and said “I enjoyed making and decorating my house and it felt really good to win. I know what important work Safe in Sussex do to help so many people and the Gingerbread House Competition is a great way for us to support them every year”

The ‘Chi Ladies’, Georgie and Christina won the Adult’s decorating competition and said "We were really shocked because we've never won anything before. we were buzzing!".

Debbie won the Freestyle competition and said “I'm absolutely delighted to have won the freestyle competition.  It's only my second ever gingerbread house made from scratch.   Safe in Sussex is such an amazing charity to support, they help so many families in their time of need.”

Devil’s Dyke Gin won the Business/Community Decorating competition, Faye Collyer-Rolls the Ginsmith said “When I was introduced to the competition by Debbie (Safe in Sussex Community Fundraiser), my first thoughts were to raise money for Safe in Sussex and didn't consider what I had just committed to! It's the first time I had done anything like this and last year’s entries were of such a high standard, so I started to panic! No reason to worry though as once I got started, it was thoroughly enjoyable and amazingly satisfying! When I was announced as the winner, I was in complete shock and totally overwhelmed! My excitement was uncontrollable! Well done to everyone that took part, all the houses were AMAZING!”

Gingerbread World’s Fay Millar said “It’s great to be a part of Safe in Sussex’s Gingerbread fun for the fifth year running. Not only is it great fun to be involved with, it’s wonderful to know the money raised is going to such a worthwhile charity. “The creativity and innovation shown in the competition entries was outstanding and I am always so impressed with the effort everyone puts in. I look forward to an even bigger and better competition in 2023”

As well as St Oscar Romero School hosting the event, a year 11 student, Will Clarke, designed the large Gingerbread house pack which Gingerbread World produced for the participants to build and decorate.

Phil Dean, Extended Learning Leader said “St Oscar Romero Catholic school is really pleased to support this worthy cause. Many students have been actively involved in designing the Houses and selling them too. It is so great that such important local Charities are supported by the education system and this also helps students help people in need. I personally feel that seeing the Houses all lit up at Christmas was wonderful to see and we look forward to getting involved again”  

The businesses/Community groups that supported this year were: Gingerbread World, CommPoint, Carpenter Box, Adur East Lions, Noona Crafty Creations, Kate Henwood Photography,  EJ Moyle LLP, Heaton House, White Space, Stanford Legal Services, Tideway Sweet Treats, Rubix VT, Emma Nottage – The Musical Diamond, Kreston Reeves, JJ & H, The Sand Project, Family Law Partners, Cooperative HR, Finola Architectural, Lodge Hill Trust, Colour Ministry, Inner Alchemy 112, Bennett Griffin, Promedica 24, Devil’s Dyke Gin, Star Community Housing, Acumen, Focus Group, Utility Warehouse, AM Trophies & Engraving, Andy’s Angels and Equity Release Sussex.

For details of how to get involved in 2023 Gingerbread House Fun, please email Debbie on fundraising@safeinsussex.org.uk

Winning Gingerbread Houses photos taken by Kate Henwood Photography.