Bristol Children's Charity Christmas lunch

Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding OBE with Sue Davies DL, a trustee of the Bristol Children's Charity, at their main fundraising event of the year - Christmas lunch at the Marriott Royal.  The photo also shows the amazing array of over a hundred toys - presided over by the charity's Harrod's bear mascot - donated by guests.  Among the 200 plus supporters attending was a stellar list of VIPs including the High Sheriff and Mrs Anthony Brown, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress along with the patron Terry Waite OBE.  Bristol Children's Charity is run by a small group of volunteers with no paid officials, so every penny raised provides items to make life happier or more comfortable for local disadvantaged children.  Jemima, the mum of Cali aged 5,  spoke movingly at the lunch about how much it had meant to receive a range of sensory toys for Cali and how much she enjoys and benefits from them.  An auction and raffle of wonderful donated items, including a beautiful hand-carved rocking horse, helped achieve the target of £8,000 raised at the event.  Guests also brought hundreds of toys which will be delivered to children across the city to give them a happier Christmas Day.  As well as  appealing for sponsorship and donations the charity would really welcome more volunteers - with a few hours a month to spare - to join the committee (just 10 meetings a year held in central Bristol), or take minutes, or simply help with social media or help run an event.