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| All smile – it’s hamper
time |
The New Journal’s own Santas
deliver the festive goods, thanks to you
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Penny Ravenhill with daughter Tegan receives a hamper from
Santa stand in Amanda Davies, the New Journal’s distribution
supervisor
The New Journal’s Illtyd Harrington delivers the goods
to pensioner Marie Price of the Lismore Circus estate
The New Journal’s Charlotte Chambers collects the hampers
from M&S manager Chris Chadwick and section manager
Sylvia Copeland
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OUR annual Christmas appeal began to spread festive cheer this
week as our very own Santa Claus started his hamper deliveries – thanks
to the generosity of our readers.
The cash donated during our annual fund-raising campaign –
more than £5,000 – has bought 250 well-stocked Marks
and Spencers hampers and our delivery teams have already begun to
be distributed amongst the borough’s older folk and single
parents.
On Monday afternoon the New Journal’s Santa Claus – who
looks uncannily like our literary editor Illtyd Harrington –
slipped into his red cape and hat and went off to send greetings
across the borough.
The Tenants Support Team on Robert Street on the Regent’s Park
Estate, who have been distributing hampers since the project began
ten years ago, told of the difference they make.
Support Worker Teresa Brennan said: “People start asking about
them at the start of December. There was a woman who burst into
tears when we brought it round, and said ‘that’s the nicest
thing anyone has done for me all year.’”
Fellow Support Worker Mick Gardiner joked: “Now when we go
around we always bring a box of tissues.”
They help people like Chalk Farm single mum Penny Ravenhill and
daughter Tegan, aged two-and-a-half.
Penny suffered serious injuries in a car accident 15 years ago and
has been unable to work since, relying on incapacity benefit to
provide her daughter with some Christmas treats. She said: “This
hamper will make a huge difference to me and my daughter.”
Pensioners Arnold and Evelyn Watson, who live in West Hampstead,
have suffered from a series of long term health problems. Arnold,
82, has trouble walking while his wife, 69, who suffers from osteoporosis
and diabetes.
Arnold worked as a clothes presser for a tailor in the East End
while Evelyn was a carer for older people for the Humanist Association.
“It was a nice surprise,” said Evelyn.
n More pictures and a full list of donors next week. |
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