MALCOLM DENT: Well done to all those in the shoe box appeal

Malcolm Dent, Gosprotarian chairman, Scott Allam, ASDA Gosport manager, and Gosport Rotary president Simon Mason

UNDER our new banner of the Gosportarians, we re-started the Gosport Festival and raised over Â£2,000 for the Mayor of Gosport's charities.

Following that, we wanted to do something for Christmas, so we have arranged Christmas dinner for 65 elderly, vulnerable and lonely people at the Jervis Gallery, St Vincent, Gosport, on December 20.

Originally funded by ourselves, ASDA Gosport stepped in and gave us a community grant of £1,000, thanks to store manager Scott Allam and community liaison Rachel Webber, which means that we are able to do much more than just a meal at Christmas.

From Monday I have been in Moldova to film the arrival and distribution of the 4,500 shoeboxes collected in our area.

They are part of over 17,000 made and collected in our district, so well done to all those schools, organisations and individuals who contributed.

I don’t get back to the UK until next Monday evening and the party is on Tuesday.

Many thanks go to Chloe from the Trash Cafe for the cooking, as wells as Square Pegs charity who have arranged for volunteer to help with the preparation.

ASDA also allowed me to sing some songs from my latest Christmas album in aid of the Gosport food bank and homeless, and in an hour, I had raised almost £100.

Also, anyone lonely or in need on Christmas Day can have a free meal with the charity Brendoncare.

Call Karen on 07467 955865.

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