Our Volunteers' Christmas Party was this year held off-site for the first time to make it extra special for our "Supporters with a Smile".

Volunteer Co-Ordinators Anya Macbeth and Charlotte Collinson hosted and arranged the event attended by around 80 volunteers at the Textile Centre of Excellence off Leeds Road in Huddersfield.

Anya, said: " We wanted to do something special as our loyal and dedicated volunteers deserve a special event. It was a great afternoon and has set the bar for next year."

They called on a host of local companies, family members (even siblings),  to lay on afternoon tea with a band playing a host of Christmas songs and classics.  

The Band (The Von Wityszyns) was a family affair. Anya called on her talented family, her brother Mark, nieces Megan and Lily as well as local actress and sister in law Angela.  They entertained the guests whilst the catering staff at the Textile Centre served up tea, sandwiches and cakes.

A raffle raised  £143 for toys for the Calderdale Paediatric Ward and this was boosted with a donation from Mothercare.

Anya added: " It was great to get the two sites together and we hope even more volunteers can attend next year as it is great to give something back to them for the support they give in such a wonderful way every day."

Thanks also to:  our own staff lottery fund, the Textile Centre and Transport Office, Oulton Hall, The Old Wire Works pub and Lindley Children’s Book Shop who all donated to the raffle.