A VILLAGE community has really demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas this year, by raising money for several charities.
The residents of Pickmere came together to hold three events, which all had a charitable benefit to those in the wider community.
Festivities in the village began in earnest when driveways were transformed into magical Christmas markets, with just under two dozen stalls offered up an array of gifts and treats.
Simon Read, who along with Naomi Petrou-Brown and Jane Norton, is one of the organisers said: "We had 23 stalls ranging through mulled wine, wooden carvings, household ornaments, art work, dog treats, wreaths, candles and jewellery and the neighbourhood plan team.
"Music was provided by Acceler8 (a brass band)
"The Red Lion and Farm Club café had hot food and Ape About Pizza provided food.
"A resident provided 15 gazebos
"We asked for a donation towards MacMillan Cancer Charity from stalls and donations form visitors. Overall we raised £614."
It was the second year the event had been held, with Simon hailing it a success and helping to put a smile on peoples faces.
"Plenty of people were wandering up and down and many people who had not really been out were seen enjoying a chat, coffee and mulled wine," he added.
"From Our point of view (Simon, Naomi and Jane) the idea was to put a smile on peoples faces, this obviously worked."
The Christmas goodwill and cheer did not end there however, with Pickmere Community Group getting together to arrange a visit from Father Christmas.
Simon said: "Santa travels round the village on his sleigh to wish everyone in Pickmere a merry Christmas.
"We also have elves collecting donations for a chosen charity, this years was St Luke’s hospice. We raised £350 in total.
"At the end we all meet round the Christmas tree in the middle of the village tree for a socially distanced carol singing with Mereside Brass, mulled wine and mince pies."
If all that fundraising wasn't enough, the group also organised 'A Giving Tree' with residents asked to donate presents to be distributed by Age UK.
"These were collected in the Red Lion pub in the village," Simon went on.
"Basically the gifts are collected by Age UK and distributed by them to those people who they support.
"We targeted 30 gifts for the village and eventually 60 were donated."
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