3rd February 2012

CHARD: Hotel fundraisers extend their help

By Marion Draper

THE ENTERTAINMENT staff at the Cricket St Thomas Hotel surpassed themselves with their charitable fundraising efforts during the festive season, resulting in a total of £3,571 which they handed over at a special presentation on Tuesday.

Every year they have made a substantial donation to the Children’s Hospice South West but this year they decided they wanted to add the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces Help south west (SSAFA), to their efforts. The charity had come to the aid Emma Pas, the daughter of staff member Lyn Barnes. Mrs Pas’ husband, Sergeant George Pas of 6th Battalion the Rifles, was seriously injured in a road collision last year. Thanks to help from SSAFA, Mrs Pas was able to keep up with household bills whilst juggling trips to hospitals and raising their three young children. They are also helping the family move from their house in Ilminster to a more wheelchair friendly bungalow in Chard.

The couple and their youngest daughter Piper, went to the hotel along with their caseworker Gary Pennels, to see the fantastic sum of £1,785.50 presented to the Colonel Graham Longdon from SSAFA Forces Help South Somerset by Steve Jackson, Michelle Stokes and Ferne Chapman from the hotel’s entertainments team.

The money for both charities was raised over the Christmas period from special lunches, collections after the pantomime performances and their own versions of “Blankety Blank” at Christmas and New year.

Lynn Barnes, who is personal assistant to the hotel general manager, said: “The guys have done a fantastic job again this year. They had a special reason for including SSAFA because the team wanted to do something to help George and Emma, so I would like to offer my personal thanks to Steve and the others.”

Entertainments manager Mr Jackson commented: “A lot of guests over Christmas were very appreciative that we were bringing SSAFA to the forefront and the Children’s Hospice is always close to their hearts.”

Colonel Longdon said: “This is a fantastic amount, we do rely on donations very much and we do not advertise. We have become very relevant with the problems of Afghanistan and at this time of economic downfall we are receiving quite a few requests for help.

“We do not just help service personnel but their families as well and anyone who has ever in the territorials or reserves or who did National Service, which went on right up until 1961. That means every year there were thousands who passed through the service and they are all eligible for our help. We also help the lifeboat association and merchant navy who do not have their own services.

“Just in south Somerset, we are receiving requests about once every four days and last year there were in excess of 150, that’s quite a lot.

“I am most impressed with Steve and Michelle, having the charisma to ease money out of people and on behalf of all the people we help, I thank you very much.”

PICTURE: WORTHY CAUSES - Crickets St Thomas Hotel staff present cheques to SSAFA and CHSW representatives

CHARD: Hotel fundraisers extend their help

CHARD: Hotel fundraisers extend their help

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