Festive fundraising for Hope and Homes for Children

A Christmas wreath workshop and a classical carol concert will raise funds for Hope and Homes for Children, the charity with a local connection.  The Christmas wreath workshop, held at Pewsey Vale Tennis Clubhouse was the brainchild of Sally Brown, who is a member of the Vale of Pewsey Hope and Homes for Children support group. 

She told marlborough.news, “I wanted to do something different for fundraising.  We hope to raise around £400 from the event and this will be doubled by the UK government as part of its UK Aid Match Scheme.”

Workshop leader, Ann Swift from Wootton Rivers had been foraging in the local countryside for berries and foliage as well as visiting Covent Garden.  She said, “Designing and flower arranging is an all consuming hobby I like to share. I love interacting with people and using my skills for charity.”

The charity Hope and Homes for Children finds alternative, high quality family based care for vulnerable children, who otherwise would be in orphanages. Their work is now recognized as best practice by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation.

The charity develops family support services and establishes robust fostering and adoption networks. And it has a local connection.

Colonel Mark and Caroline Cook, who lived in West Stowell, near Marlborough founded the charity after their experience of Bjelave orphanage, Bosnia. The charity now works with children in Africa and Eastern Europe.

The annual Classical Carol Concert in aid of the charity will be held on Saturday 16 December at 4pm in Marlborough College Chapel and has been organized by Alison Netherclift. Performers this year include The Great Bedwyn Millenium Choir and BlueBelles. There will be soloist and carols for all.

Tickets are £10 each (children under 12 free)and are available at either David Dudley Jewellers or Kim Vine in Marlborough High Street or tel 01672 562777.          

For more information of how you can support the work of Hope and Homes, please contact Alison Netherclift on 01672 562777 or on-line at www.hopeandhomes.org