LETTER: Thanks to all the Toy Appeal team

This year, through the generosity of the Clitheroe and Ribble Valley Community, we were able to provide toys for 217 children.

We received many expressions of thanks from parents – to quote just a few:

“Thank you for making my children so happy this Christmas”

“Thank you for taking the misery out of Christmas”

“Thank you for a wonderful Christmas”

“Thank you for the brilliant toys. My children will be so happy Christmas morning.

Personal thanks go to the Editor of The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times for allocating us space, and to senior reporter Julie Magee for promoting our Appeal.

Without you we would not be able to make people aware of the need.

A special thanks to Skipton Building Society for providing us so willingly with a Toy Drop-Off venue. They made our toy collection such a pleasure.

Thank you to our volunteers, who gave generously of their time and energy, often going the extra mile to distribute the bags of toys and food. Your cheerful commitment to the effort is touching.

As always, our Christmas Day Lunch Volunteers were superb. They willingly gave up part of their Christmas Day to transport our guests, serve the meal, wash up, and spend time chatting to our guests. These lovely volunteers make the day special.

Thanks also go to Mr Alan Lightbown, who prepared the Christmas Meal for us. As always, it was delicious.

And a very special thank you to our Town Mayor, Coun. Allan Knox, who called in to see everyone as they were arriving. We felt honoured by the visit.

The biggest thanks must go to the public, who gave so freely. Once again, we were touched by the quality of the gifts, and the thought that was given to suitability.

We are grateful also to those who donated monetary gifts to our Toy Appeal, Food Parcel Fund, and Christmas Lunch. This enabled us to provide special treats and extras which made all the difference to the recipients.

Thank you, people of Clitheroe, and the Ribble Valley, for your caring hearts and generosity, which has made a massive difference this Christmas to those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.

Once again, our community has gathered round to embrace those in need of practical and emotional support. Ours is truly a community to be proud of.

ELIZABETH SMITH,

Captain,

Clitheroe Salvation Army