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Townsfolk rally round to help the children

by Adrian Jenkins - Chief reporter Burton Mail

Generous Burtonians are set to shun the credit crunch by donating a record number of presents to a seasonal campaign for needy children.

Shoppers have already given up to 500 gifts in the week since the appeal launched, making organisers confident of topping last year's 1300 total.

Burton business consultant Derek Liddle, who heads the appeal, said the response had confounded his expectation that the economic crisis would cut contributions.

The 68-year-old, of Main street, Branston said: "I was worried, because of the credit crunch, that things might be slow - but I was totally wrong."

"The generosity of Burton people knows no bounds - it's just phenomenal."

"I think that we've been doing the appeal for so long now that they expect it to be there. They love doing it and worry about the kids."

The 14th campaign, known, as ever, as 'Derek's Tree', is centered on a 10ft Christmas tree - a £400 'loan' from Byrkley Garden Centre - outside Marks and Spencer store in Coopers Square shopping centre and works according to a tried and tested formula.

Until 5pm on Sunday, December 14, shoppers are being invited to remove name tags detailing requests for specific presents and to return them to the tree with the child's gift.

"Santa's helpers' will then wrap the presents, which cost, on average, about £10, before giving them to disadvantaged children linked to organisations such as Barnardo's, HomeStart, Sure Start and Pathways.

Since its launch on the day of Burton's Christmas lights switch-on, Derek's Tree has triggered several acts of extraordinary generosity.

One woman took six tags on the opening day and returned a week later to collect nine more, while another donor responded to a request for boxing cloves by throwing in a 4ft punch bag too.

Mr Liddle said: "People are so generous and we must never forget to say 'thank you'. That's the most important thing."

The commercial expert, who runs Branston Consulting Ltd, decided to organise this year's appeal despite suffering a heart scare earlier in the year.

Burton Business Club, of which he is chairman is backing him and Burton Rotary Club have promised to donate food parcels for needy families.

Shoppers can help the appeal by collecting tags from 10am until 7pm on Thursdays, 10am until 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10.30am until 4.30pm on Sundays.

Several of Mr Liddle's helpers will be on hand to offer help and collect gifts.

News item appeared in the Burton Mail 25th November 2008

Reporter Adrian Jenkins
Photograph by Rawman Photography