Sparkling efforts - Gazette deputy editor Liana Kyparissis celebrates reaching the target with Tracey Chapman of Essex County Council (58394-1)

Our 10,000 reasons to say thank you so much

A huge thank you goes out today to everyone who contributed an amazing £10,179.49 to the Gazette’s latest Sparkle Appeal.

Kindhearted groups and individuals across north Essex took the time and trouble to organise events and activities in aid of children’s homes run by Essex County Council.

Thanks to readers’ generosity, the Gazette will be able to fund sports equipment for youngsters who have not enjoyed the best start in life.

From the word go, readers put their thinking caps on and came up with all manner of fundraising ideas.

Keen Sparkle supporters Colchester Centurion Rotary Club got the ball rolling with donations totalling £2,700, which members had made at the Mercury Theatre’s last-night panto performance.

The Gazette promotions team at the Clacton air show (58062-z)

It was soon joined by the proceeds of a garden party and cheese and wine evening, organised by members of the Parson’s Heath Ladies’ Club in Colchester, and a casino night run by the town’s Elms Price Maston Financial Services.

The biggest single cheque, for £2,000, came from the organisers of the hugely successful Little Bentley Hall Waterways and Garden Show.

Hosted by Christopher and Virginia Palmer-Tomkinson, the event attracted 14,000 people, who together raised more than £100,000 for worthy causes.

The Gazette’s Clare Jeffs accepts a cheque for the appeal from Nigel Dyson, Little Bentley Hall Waterways and Garden Show director. (57181-13)

The Gazette’s appeal received another superb boost, courtesy of its own promotions staff, who ran an auction at the recent Clacton Air Show.

Of the £1,300 proceeds raised in just ten minutes, £1,000 went to Sparkle.

Children, too, did their bit for others less fortunate than themselves.

Following up the fitness theme, a dozen young athletes from Colbayns High School, Clacton, gave up their free time to participate in a sponsored exercise programme, which boosted the appeal by more than £100.

Pupils of Comrie House at St Mary’s School, in Colchester, decided to put on the glitz at a special Sparkle Day, swopping their navy uniform for sequin-and-spangle outfits. Their dress-down day raised more than £190.

Gazette editor Irene Kettle said: “We know we can always rely on our generous Gazette readers to back our charity campaigns.

“In this case our readers and advertisers have been inspired, knowing they are helping some of the most disadvantaged children in the county to keep fit and have fun.”

What a result - Gazette deputy editor Liana Kyparissis hands over the Sparkle Appeal cheque for £10,000 to councillor Simon Walsh and residential workers Sharon Dovey, Wayne Russell, David Easterbrook and Neal Francis at County Hall, Chelmsford. Picture: LOUISE MORRIS (75836-2)

Simon Walsh, Essex County Council cabinet member for schools, children and families, said: “This is a tremendous gesture on behalf of the Gazette and all its readers.

“This money will help brighten the lives of so many of our county’s young, looked-after people. Getting a safe and secure start in life can transform a young person’s future and encourage them to achieve the very best they can.

“I would like to thank everyone who raised money for the Gazette’s Sparkle Appeal for their generosity and hard work.”

Richard shows that business has a heart

The Gazette’s Sparkle Appeal received one particularly large boost, thanks to a kindhearted Colchester businessman.

Richard Rodley, who owns Car Sales Network on the town’s Severalls Business Park, offered to donate £100 for each new VW Golf ordered over a one-month period last year.

During that time he collected £800, which will be spent on gym equipment for children’s homes run by Essex County Council.

Mr Rodley said: “This will certainly buy something nice, I would hope.

“You don’t need too many of those in a year to make the fund up.

“We were quite pleased about how many people took notice of the Gazette’s article.

“We monitor these things quite closely, and I have to say that it was mentioned more times than our normal ads.

“I would like to think that it shows there are people out there who would like to contribute towards a charity or someone supporting a charity, rather than taking the mercenary ‘me, me, me’ position,” he added.

“It’s saving them money, but also raising money for a worthwhile cause.”