YOUR GENEROSITY DEFIES DOWNTURN
by ADRIAN JENKINS
Chief Reporter (Burton Mail)
BURTONIANS have turned a blind eye to the economic downturn by donating a record number of presents to a Christmas campaign for needy children.
Shoppers smashed last year's 1,200-plus total almost two weeks ago, and were set to have donated more than 1,600 gifts when the month-long effort ended yesterday.
Organiser Derek Liddle, who revealed the extent of the generosity through tears of joy, said contributors were also due to have matched 2007's £1,000 cash sum.
The business consultant, who has now overseen 14 annual Derek's Tree campaigns, said: "When I started this year, I was a little concerned because of the credit crunch, but we've not struggled at all. It has just been astronomical.
"I think it's because - and this sounds big-headed but I don't want it to - that I've been doing it for so long now that people know it's absolutely genuine and that the kids get the presents and that it does work.
"It's the first year that I've got quite emotional about it, because people have been coming up and making me feel terribly humble. It's been absolutely amazing."
Asked if shoppers' generosity was the perfect gift to himself, Mr Liddle, who is celebrating his 69th birthday today, said: "It's got to be, hasn't it?"
The appeal was centred on a 10ft Christmas tree - a £400 'loan' from the Byrkley Garden Centre, in Rangemore - in the Coopers Square shopping centre and worked according to a well practised formula.
Until 4.30pm yesterday, shoppers were 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' then wrapped the presents, which cost about £10 each on average, before preparing to give them to disadvantaged children linked to organisations such as Barnardo's, HomeStart, Sure Start and Pathways.
Every campaign triggers acts of extraordinary generosity and this year's has been no exception.
One donor stumped up £90 to buy a camera, while another responded to a request for a small table and chairs by purchasing a large set with plates, cups and saucers.
Mr Liddle, who runs Branston Consulting Ltd and lives in Main Street, Branston, said he had also been given 'fantastic support' from Burton Business Club, of which he is chairman.
The organisation has promised to help with next year's campaign, an offer which has delighted Mr Liddle who wants the annual effort to continue but is aware that, after health problems earlier this year, he must now take more of a back seat.
Mr Liddle said: "I'm getting old and it's damned hard work and the club is now insisting that it comes in and helps me.
"The support is there and I'm very happy about it, but I will still be around and it will still be Derek's Tree. I don't want it to stop - that's what worries me."
Photograph courtesy of Rawman Photography
News item appeared in The Burton Mail 15 Dec 2009
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