MP supports Christmas market in aid of children's charity
A Christmas market that has been helping to raise money for a children’s charity in Sussex received a visit from local MP Nick Herbert on Friday (19 November).
The Grittenham Barn at Tillington is donating proceeds to The Sussex Snowdrop Trust which looks after children with life threatening or terminal illnesses at home.
Mr Herbert met Grittenham Barn owner Nicola Rollason who hosts the Christmas market each year and chatted to staff that help organise the event.
He was told that families helped by Snowdrop and who have lost a child are encouraged to plant a tree in the orchard at Grittenham Farm.
The MP also met Snowdrop volunteer fundraiser Carolyn Mudford who was there to man the charity's stall.
Amongst the purchases made by Mr Herbert was an official tie bearing the Snowdrop Trust logo.
The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, set up in 1993 and based in Chichester, serves an area that includes Petworth, Pulborough, Arundel and the Five Villages.
The charity spends around £240,000 each year providing around-the-clock support to families through a small team of nurses, counsellors and support workers who visit children at home.
There are currently 69 children benefitting from the charity's work, which includes urgent financial help for parents.
For every £1 raised, 90.5p is spent on direct care for children and their families.
Nick Herbert commented: "The Sussex Snowdrop Trust provides a wonderful service for children affected by serious illness and their families. I enjoy taking part in their annual charity walk in Arundel Castle Park in the summer, and I was delighted to visit this lovely Christmas market which raised money for such a good cause. Plus I bought some Christmas cake!"
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Notes for Editors
1. For the website of The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, visit http://www.thesussexsnowdroptrust.com/.
2. The Grittenham Barn Christmas Market was held on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 November. For the website of the Grittenham Barn, visit http://www.grittenhambarn.com/.
3. On Saturday 13 November, The Sussex Snowdrop Trust held its Champagne & Diamonds Ball at the Hilton Avisford Park, Walberton. There was a raffle which included the prize of "Tea at the House of Commons" donated by Nick Herbert MP. For more information about the event, visit http://tinyurl.com/36lyf96.
4. A Firefighter Calendar for 2011 is currently on sale to raise money for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust in memory of 18 year old Charlotte Spawton who died in January. Her father is a West Sussex firefighter. For more information, visit http://www.firefightercalendar2011.co.uk/.