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True spirit of Christmas

30/12/2002

NEEDY children all over the borough will be waking up with a smile on Christmas morning - and it's all thanks to you!

The Advertiser's annual toy appeal finally came to an end this week and we can't thank you enough for your unbelievable generosity.

We've received sackfuls of presents over the last few weeks from giant teddies and dolls to CDs, computer games and chocolate.

And whether the children and families are suffering domestic problems, sickness or financial strain this year, your kindness has helped give hundreds of children a very merry Christmas.

Exhausted staff at the Newton Family Support Team have been sorting, wrapping and delivering your gifts all week and would like to say a really big thank you to everyone who has made a donation. Appeal co-ordinator Jullie Plant said: "It's been a mad rush to get everything done in time but as usual the response has been fantastic.

"I know all the staff enjoy doing it and parents have been absolutely gobsmacked at the gifts they have to choose from."

Churches, shops and pubs across the borough have pulled out all the stops for our appeal this year - not forgetting all the other friendly faces who have flooded our office with festive gifts.

You've been so amazing that it's impossible to mention everyone but we'd like to say an extra special thank you to Waggon Wheels Western Dance Club, Welbeck Street Baptist Church, the Gardeners Arms in Droylsden and Barcrest in Ashton.

And youngsters at Ashton Swimming Club really made a splash by raising a whopping £610 with a sponsored swimming knockout competition.

Even Father Christmas managed to whip up a few sackfuls of goodies for our appeal - but the main man has a very busy schedule at this time of year so one of his helpers brought the gifts to us instead.

We count on you every year to help the less fortunate in Tameside at Christmas time and you never let us down. So to all our readers, all that's left to say is have a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year!