HADDOW ELECTRICAL DONATION

The Community Services Committee of the Rotary Club of Chichester Harbour (RCCH) have for many years supported sections of the local community.

Due to physical abuse in families, shortage of money, and subsequent ill health, many families have been suffering hardship, especially at Christmas time when presents are out of the question.

The Community Services Committee receives referrals for Chichester District Council of those in desperate need.

In addition to manning a weekly Foodbank, together with donating clothes, coats, shoes and hygiene essentials, RCCH also help by providing some furniture, white goods and flooring where the need exists.

So Christmas time arrives and these families have nothing to provide some Christmas cheer, so the Christmas sacks initiative makes it possible to give comfort to many children together with their parents.

Last year I understand that 1443 children and 759 adults within 421 families benefited by sacks being donated.

RCCH spent ~£7000 last year on treats and goodies, with presents for the families. Apart from toys etc. the Club supplied vouchers for families to use to purchase their Christmas lunch.

Without the generous support from the community and local companies RCCH would not be able to support those in need.

A local electrical contractor in Chichester won a national prize in a competition set by City Electrical Factors (CEF), a large national organisation with a local branch in Chichester. Haddow Electrical Ltd were the winners of the competition, the prize being £2500, with the proviso being that this money was to be given to a charitable organisation.

Philip Haddow, Managing Director, decided he would donate the prize money to RCCH to use as they saw fit, and the Christmas Sack Scheme was ideal to receive the said prize money.

RCCH via the Community Services Committee have allotted this sum to help with the Christmas sacks initiative and RCCH members wholeheartedly thank Philip and his team for this wonderful donation.

The photograph shows Philip Haddow and his colleague David Wells, the winner of the competition, together with Joe Schofield, local manager of CEF Chichester, presenting the prize, and in return receiving a signed framed certificate of appreciation from Mike Hutchins, RCCH President.