News Update - Winter 2009
Despite the doom and gloom spread by the media and well-known high street shops closing down after years of business, I am delighted to report that the fundraising activities were not affected by this. However, we must not become complacent as we do not know what 2009 has in store.
It was excellent for me to complete my first year as Head of Fundraising at Cherry Lodge with a healthy financial balance. The Christmas Market held in the Barnet Library was enjoyed by staff, volunteers, members, supporters and of course those in the community who visited the various stalls. Our produce stall with homemade cakes, jams and marmalades and mincemeats, Christmas cakes and puddings went down very well. The whole event was enjoyed and raised around £4,000 which was a fantastic result. Our thanks to everyone who made this such a great success.
As in previous years, Cherry Lodge has been the beneficiary of Santa’s Grotto in The Spires. The children’s faces are just delightful to see when they enter the grotto and it is amazing how many of them have been regular visitors since a very young age. Santa couldn’t cope without his helpers who are all Cherry Lodge volunteers and ensures that each child receives the correct gift. On Sunday 21st December The Spires received a special visit from Raymond Briggs’ Snowman. Our thanks to The Spires Shopping Centre for their continued support of Cherry Lodge and for helping us to raise £1800. Our busiest day at The Grotto was Sunday 7th December when crowds thronged the High Street for the annual Christmas Street Fair. The Cherry Lodge tombola with its bottles and gifts was a huge success and raised £450.
The angelic voices of local school children rang out in The Spires on 3rd December as they sang festive songs and mums and teachers collected donations from the shoppers. Everyone was extremely generous and a total of 8 schools raised £728.
Theresa Bowman
