A GROUP in Winterbourne are already starting the fundraising for next Christmas after delivering a number of presents to young people at Bristol Children’s Hospital in December.

The Winterbourne & District Community Association, WADCA, raised over £500 before December 25 last year and were able to take them in to children just before the special day.

The organisation looks to improve the lives of others by fundraising and giving back to the community.

Leanne Woodruff, Business manager at WADCA said: “Over the Christmas period we fundraised to buy Christmas presents for children whom would have to spend Christmas in hospital.

“We raised over £500.00 and took a bag of presents as well as a nintendo switch to Caterpillar ward in the Bristols Children’s Hospital.

“We also put out a post offering Christmas lunch to those facing Christmas day alone, we offered to subsidise the costs for anyone unable to afford this.

“This post went on Facebook and we were given donations of over £400 from the local community, with people paying for others.

“With some of this money we were able to pay in the entirety for anyone who needed it on Christmas Day and we also had enough funds left over to supply two Bristol families in crisis.

“We have already started this years Christmas fundraising and our chosen charities this Christmas will be ROOTS charity for the homeless, Bristol Childrens hospital, Bristol Families in crisis and we hope to be able to offer the centre again on Christmas Day to those in need.”

In order to raise money for their selected charities, WADCA has a number of events coming up.

“We are holding a Valentines disco and dinner in aid of the Australian Bushfire on Friday, February 14,” Leanne continued.

“We have a weekly lunch club and offer a variety of home cooked meals for £5 per head, we usually have around 40 members attend this club.”