WELL done: Tadley Community Responders held a bag packing event at Sainsbury’s, Tadley, which was a very successful one, as they raised £415 – another local charity that has been given a helping hand by the supermarket.

A round of applause too for the Loddon Valley Lions, who managed to cover all the usual Christmas rounds – 19 evenings in total – and raised £10,000 in spite of the atrocious weather at times.

On December 23, the winds were so high they had to cancel their round due to health and safety issues until the following night.

This is the first time that they have collected on Christmas Eve. They did have a little problem in New Road, when water got into their generator – but with a little help from their elves they managed to dry it out and get back on the road again. Money raised will go to local good causes.

On your behalf, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Loddon Lions and wish them a successful fundraising year.