Proving there are people with big hearts in Andover, a collection of local business people have been giving deserved people and families cash gifts to help them have a better Christmas.
17 local people were given cash gifts up to £100 each at the weekend. The local people were treated to the gift of appreciation by Jeff Pidgeley from Wonston Agricultural Services and Kevin Farrer from International Furniture.
The cash offer asked people to nominate family and friends who had gone beyond the norm to help other people and causes.
Recipient Kimberly Couling told Andover Radio, “Jeff and Kev set up a Facebok post that he wanted to donate some money to families that need it at christ,as, starting at £50. Jeff got 17 families to give money to people who helped out other people over the past year. I was nominated by a friend and the money will really help go towards the children’s Christmas presents”.
Donor of some of the cash gifts Jeff Pidgeley told Andover Radio, “I’d like to thank Kev Farrer from International Furniture, Jim Stafford from CJ Vehicle Transport, Paul Whitewick from HMG Paints in Andover and Simon from Commercial Components and Chris Hawley for their kind donations to top up the donations.
“My business is going quite well right now and I wanted to give something to people who help others and help them out a little this Christmas.
Recipients of the generous gifts included Alex Jones, Alison Collier, Amy Louise, Amy Young, Carly Woodrow, David Chapman (Stand up for Cancer), John Birt, Kimberly Couling, Katie Alexander, Michaela Winter, Nicky Hillier, Nick Miles, Jasmine Wootten, Rob Gregory, Sarah Holland, Tina Ward and Perry Grannell.
Amy Young gave a thanks to Mr Pidgeley and Mr Farrer saying, “I’d like to say a massive thank you to Jeff and all those who helped to make peoples lives that little bit easier this Christmas.
“£50 may not seem very much to some but to others it will help out immensely.
“What you have done makes you realise there are people out there that really do care and want to help.”
At the event at the International Furniture showroom on Black Swan Yard, recipient Michaela Humphrey said, “My daughter nominated me for a £50 gift because I help her out and have helped others out.
“With my daughter, who had her head shaved in August to raise money after a friend’s 9-year old daughter passed away from a brain tumour, we have arranged a fun and in total we have raised around £2,000 for Children’s Cancer Research.
“I am overwhelmed, I never get anything just for me.”
