It’s that time of year again – the Rotary Club of Newton Aycliffe Christmas fund-raising season is well underway and this year our partnership with Santa is going extremely well – thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the people of Newton Aycliffe and our partners, Tesco and the Jones family. The money raised at this time of year is used for local good causes, with part of the money being spent on Christmas hampers for local families, who, without the hampers, would be unable to share in the normal joy of Christmas as well as all the trimmings of a Christmas Day.
The distribution of the hampers, which are put together for us by Tesco, has already begun. The families who receive them are mainly directed to us through the local contacts attached to GP practices, as they are the people who know their own communities best and can make sure that they reach the people to whom they will make the most difference. So thank you very much indeed to the health visitors – and all of you out there who have dug deep in their pockets to enable the Rotary Club to make this happen.
So what has been happening so far? Well, Aycliffe Radio generously gave us the chance to collect at their Christmas event in the main square of Newton Aycliffe shopping centre recently. The weather may have been against us all, but it didn’t stop Santa and Mrs Claus from visiting – together with stars from the Darlington panto. The music and the compere certainly lifted all our spirits. Then there was the Rotary Christmas Carol Service in the Leisure centre. Santa was much in evidence here as well, to the delight of the children from many local schools who took part and showed us just how talented the young people of the town are. This service is being broadcast by Aycliffe Radio on Boxing Day at 12noon. On that day many of us will be remembering our good friend and fellow Rotarian Syd Howarth who has left this event as just one of his many legacies to the town.
Santa has also been seen around town after dark with his wonderful sleigh, accompanied by his delightful wife, Mrs Claus and a number of his elves. This year he has honoured us by using his brand new sleigh – it’s great to see the children’s faces as they have their pictures taken with Mr and Mrs Claus. Weather prevented Santa’s visit on Tuesday night but this has not affected the sums of money pouring in – including whole tankards of money collected since his visit last year.
Tesco are also hosting us once again – for seven days in total. When he can, Santa is calling in here as well and is very happy to have his photo taken with anyone who asks. This year records are being broken for the amounts you are donating. We will let you know how much has been raised as soon as we know ourselves.
In the meantime, we wish you a very happy Christmas and a very big thank you for your generosity.
