Kentish Express Ashford & District
Santa’s visits keep donations pouring in
It might be February but the Christmas cheer in Ashford is still going strong.
Money collected during Father Christmas’s five visits around the town in December is going towards creating a new sensory garden at the William Harvey Hospital.
In total, £3,000 was raised by the Ashford Lions, who re-introduced the Santa Sleigh last year.
Eric MacRae, Lions’ fundraising chairman said: “We were delighted and astonished by the reception we received as we took Santa around, every evening finding large numbers out on the street to greet him.
“Due to the tremendous generosity of the Ashford public, we raised over £3,000, for which we are hugely grateful.”
The funds will go to the East Kent Hospitals Charity (EKHC) Dementia Appeal, which hopes to transform a small area at the hospital into a garden for patients who suffer from dementia.
Members of Ashford Lions – along with mascot Roary – presented the money to Joy Marshall, the hospital’s dementia matron and Luke Underdown, the EKHC community fundraising manager, earlier this month.
The group, which is part of the international Lions Clubs, is looking for new members.
Visit www.ashfordlions.org.uk or email info@ashfordlions.org. uk for more information