22-year-old Shetland pony Romeo visited children at Sherborne Primary ahead of the project launch event Picture: Sherborne Area Schools' Trust

Sherborne’s generosity shines bright for families in need this Christmas

Tait ap EllisDecember 17, 20240 Comment0

FAMILIES in Sherborne can enjoy an extra special Christmas this year thanks to the generosity of the community.

197 Christmas boxes will be delivered to families who receive free school meals at Sherborne Primary School, Sherborne Abbey Primary, Thornford Primary, and St Andrew’s Primary in Yetminster.

The boxes are filled with food from Hunt’s Foods Store, as well as vouchers that can be spent in shops on anything from food to books to gifts, to bring a bit of joy this Christmas.

Businesses, organisations and donors in Sherborne teamed up to raise money for the project, which reached £15,000 this year.

“This is the fifth year that Sherborne Primary School has organised this project, with it growing every year, to include families from neighbouring schools, and as the need has grown, so has the generosity of the town,” a spokesperson for the project said.

Representatives from the businesses supporting the project gathered at Sherborne Primary School to hear from the executive head, Ian Bartle, about the difference this will make to children and their families.

They were also joined by special guest Lord Julian Fellowes, of Downton Abbey fame, who thanked them all for their generosity and time.

Mr Bartle said: “This will mean so much to these families at Christmas, and would not have been possible without the generous donations from nearly 80 local businesses and generous individuals, and the organisation skills of former mayor David Birley.

“It is wonderful to see the community come together at this time of year to help support children and families”.

The project launch event Picture: Sherborne Area Schools’ Trust

David Birley said: “We are very lucky to have such a kind and generous community in Sherborne.

“Having Lord Fellowes as our guest speaker at the launch was also a great help with fundraising. I would particularly like to thank Julie Preece for her tireless work and support on the project”.

Mr Birley also arranged for Romeo, a 22-year-old Shetland pony, wearing festive antlers, to visit reception children at Sherborne Primary as part of the launch event, who proved a huge hit with the children and adults alike.

Full list of donors and supporters of the Christmas Appeal:

Ablebox, Hunts Food Store, Lors & Lady Fellowes, Porter Dodson, Sherborne Castle Estates, Waitrose, Mrs Elizabeth McClen, Church House Investment Management, Cicorl Ltd, Mr & Mrs John Preece, Continuum Choir, J.M. Finn, Sherborne Wax Removal and Hearing Care, Mr Jeremy Gear, Rotary Club of Sherborne Castles, Melbury Gallery, Oliver’s, Pastimes, Reeve the Baker, Amateur Players of Sherborne, Mr Peter Hetherington, Boots, The Drinksmith, Ecco Gelato, Acreman St Auctioneers and Valuers, Rolfe East, Muntanya, Sherborne Market Fruit & Veg, The Blue Zebra, Kafe Fontana, Mr & Mrs Kevin Kilmartin, C. Benson, Charles Stanley, Battens, Oxford’s Bakery, K. Dunning, Grace Hayne Eyecare, House of Lamps, Symonds & Sampson, The Jerram Gallery, Peter Harding Wealth Management, Jackson-Stops, The Digby Tap, Crackmore Garage, Sir Christopher & Lady Colville, Winstone’s, Milborne Port Computers, Somewhere Else Fishy, Fetch’N’Carry, SPAR Simon’s Road, Mr & Mrs A. Rowland, The Station Café, Mrs. E. Edmondson, The Corner House, Hills Garage, Sainsburys, Mr & Mrs Michael Hatch, Capitol Carpets, Mr & Mrs Anthony Loven, Remous Print, Old Barn Framing Gallery, Mr & Mrs Shaun Leavey, Mr & Mrs Hugh Watkins, Mr & Mrs Michael Balfour, Wordshop, The Original Factory Shop, Hidden Needs Trust, Sherborne Chamber of Trade, Mr & Mrs Taff Martin, Sherborne Parish Faith in Action, Mr & Mrs David Birley, Bradfords Building Supplies, Mr & Mrs Peter Grosvenor, Bill Butters Windows, E. Hetherington, Charterhouse Auctioneers & Valuers, Parsons, Abbey Friar, Sacred Heart and St Aldhelm Church, Robert Frith Optometrists, Hunts Accountants, Pear Tree Deli, Catharine Cheetham, Henry Willis, Mrs Anthony Jaggard, Circus, Ace Fibreglass, Austyn, CPRE, Lanham & Francis, Dorset Property, Augusta Miller, F. Skinner, Macular Society Support Group, Ogilvy & More, M. Davies, Mr & Mrs Anthony Travis, Mrs Amanda Loram, T.R. & S.J. Harry, Upstairs Downstairs, Londonderry Estates, The Beat & Track, E B Marsh, Lolly Agency, Torbay Fish, M.A. Hall, Yvonne Libbey, Mrs G. J. Savage, Mrs Diana Edelsten, D.Hayes, The Britannia Inn, Mr Timothy Fearon, Mr Mark Lewis, Mr & Mrs Don Young, Hilary, Stephen and Romeo, and all those who wished to remain anonymous.