And donated lots of toys to ensure youngsters enjoyed a happy Christmas

of toys. It received both, which have been collected by the charity, with a box overflowing with toys of all shapes and sizes and £300 in cash. The charity was extremely grateful for the generosity and thanked all those who had donated to the appeal.

A pub that is not far from the church also supported the charity.

The Meynell Ingram Arms, in Hoar Cross, ran a Christmas market on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the lead-up to Christmas.

It was also open from Tuesday, December 21, to Thursday, December 23.

Dawn-elizabeth Rudd, head of PR at Berkeley Inns Ltd, which runs the Meynell, said previously: “It’s a fantastic way to showcase our local and rural community so people can have their own stalls. It’s a very traditional Christmas market.

“We did a winter lodge in our courtyard in 2019 – but that was with no stalls and just basically extra seating.”

Santa’s grotto was a treat for any children attending, with The Young

Ones receiving all of the funds it raised. Sheila Meacham, 73, treasurer of the charity, spoke previously about the impact of receiving the money raised would have on the families and children.

She said: “They’ve got financial problems. Covid has brought a lot of problems with it and a lot of families were concerned they wouldn’t be able to do anything for the children at Christmas.

“Parents are struggling to put food on the table, never mind go out and buy gifts, so these funds will certainly help them.

“Finding out we were chosen to for this donation put a huge smile on my face, and that will then be cast onto the children.”