A417 team deliver over 180 Christmas presents to four Gloucestershire charities
The team behind National Highways’ A417 road upgrade have brought a dose of festive cheer to four Gloucestershire charities after donating over 180 presents.
For the second year running National Highways contractors Kier Transportation and the wider supply chain working on the A417 Missing Link scheme organised a present fundraising drive in the run-up to Christmas.
And last week the team delivered specially chosen gifts to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester as part of the Pied Piper Appeal’s Christmas toy drive as well as dropping off donations at The Nelson Trust women’s refuge, The James Hopkins Trust, who care for toddlers up to age five with life-limiting disabilities, and two food bins of goods to Gloucester Food Bank.
The gifts and donations were presented by the A417 Father Christmas, and his A417 festive helpers who started by visiting the hospital’s Children’s Ward and Emily Kent Unit and spent time meeting the children and staff members there.
Katy Price, Pied Piper representative at the hospital said: “We absolutely love having Santa and the helpers visit the Children’s Ward at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital this Christmas. Seeing the reactions of the children and their parents as Father Christmas came into the room was truly special, the smiles said it all.”
Andrew Alcorn, National Highways Project Director for the A417 Missing Link scheme, said: “It’s a pleasure to bring some Christmas magic to children across these local charities who either can’t spend Christmas at home or are facing other challenges.
“The presents have been sourced for all age groups, and we hope they makes a real difference to those youngsters and families who need it most.”
Gavin Jones, Keir’s A417 Missing Link Project Director added:
“It has been wonderful seeing the pile of presents under the A417 Christmas tree grow each day. Well done to everyone who has kindly given their donations and time.
“Giving back to the area and people in Gloucestershire is a very important legacy for the project and this initiative will make such a big difference to many children and families who are struggling.”
To find out more about the A417 Missing Link and for the latest scheme updates, visit https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-west/a417-missing-link/
For more details on the work of the Great Western Air Ambulance, and the charity’s fundraising initiatives, go to https://greatwesternairambulance.com/ and for information on the Pied Piper Appeal go to https://piedpiperappeal.co.uk/
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