News appeal is a smash hit

An appeal put out by The News on behalf of a Portsmouth charity has been met with a fantastic response '“ and just in time for the organisation's next event.
Sister Maura, pastoral assistant at Portsmouth Catholic Cathedral, donating the Bishops Plates to City of Portsmouth Charitable Friends volunteer Tracy McClureSister Maura, pastoral assistant at Portsmouth Catholic Cathedral, donating the Bishops Plates to City of Portsmouth Charitable Friends volunteer Tracy McClure
Sister Maura, pastoral assistant at Portsmouth Catholic Cathedral, donating the Bishops Plates to City of Portsmouth Charitable Friends volunteer Tracy McClure

Former Lord Mayor, Councillor David Fuller, has thanked the ‘wonderful generosity’ of our readers after they rushed to replace his organisation’s set of bone china plates.

The City of Portsmouth Charitable Friends was set up by Cllr Fuller.

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The group holds monthly tea and cake events at Friendship House for their elderly supporters.

Marcella Payne and David Fuller after the smashMarcella Payne and David Fuller after the smash
Marcella Payne and David Fuller after the smash

To make the events extra special, the team used to use charity organiser Marcella Payne’s set of bone china plates.

After the charity’s last event, Mr Fuller dropped a box containing the 60 pieces of china, smashing crockery across the pavement.

With less than a week to find a new set before its next event, the charity contacted The News to put out a plea for donations.

Organisers were amazed by the response from our readers.

Marcella Payne and David Fuller after the smashMarcella Payne and David Fuller after the smash
Marcella Payne and David Fuller after the smash
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Tracy McClure, a Lib Dem campaigner who volunteers with the charity, arranged to collect the donations and was overwhelmed by the amount of offers she received.

Tracy spent the day driving throughout the city and up to Waterlooville.

By the end of the day, the campaigner had a car full of donations gifted by the public. One of the biggest donations was provided by Portsmouth’s Catholic Cathedral.

Sister Maura, the pastoral assistant, welcomed Tracy and handed over an entire set of the Bishop’s plates.

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Tracy said: ‘This just goes to show how many kind and amazing people there are out there,

‘People have donated so generously to make sure that we can continue with our fund raising events to benefit local good causes.’

The panic was well and truly over for The Charitable Friends team, as they were able to fully replace their china set just in time for their next event tomorrow. All proceeds go to Portsmouth charities.

Cllr Fuller said: ‘I want to thank The News for running the story and all of the people who chipped in to help us. We are ever so grateful.

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‘I had a lot of fun poked out of me at the last council meeting. Members keep saying to me “be careful not to wash up!”’,

‘We need as much support as we can get and we’d love to keep going for as long as the public keep supporting us.’

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