Father Christmas arrives early at Irvine Unit thanks to car club

It was a case of Father Christmas arriving early at the unit when last Thursday morning members of Bexhill Classic Car Club turned up bearing the proceeds of last summer's classic car show.

Like the show day at Eastbourne's Lottbridge Drove, the weather did not favour the hand-over ceremony.

But, like the show, there was a heartening result despite all that the elements could throw.

Bexhill Classic Car Club has three traditions. One is the show at Eastbourne Miniature Railway's lovely site. The second is its voluntary support for the work of the Irvine Unit.

And the third is that it is a club without committee or officers.

Irvine Unit staff found an impressive line-up of classics in the car park - a 1959 Armstrong Siddeley Star Sapphire, a 1938 Austin 10 and a 1974 MGB.

Ranged in front of them was 500 worth of gifts. In addition to seven new radio/CD players, the club had bought seven infra-red cordless headphones that will enable patients to be entertained without disturbing others.

Local suppliers Drays of Western Road have kindly offered to set up the system as part of the deal.

Present to hand-over the gifts were club members Keith and Lesley Robinson, Pail and Ann Anderson, Sheila O'Dell and Ron Fellows.

Representing Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust were head of adult services Alice Webster, intermediate care manager Pauline Butterworth and Irvine Unit matron Karen Turley.

Karen told the Observer: "We are absolutely delighted with the gift. It will make such a difference for the patients because the CD/radios will go into the ward areas."

Now the unit is appealing via the club for CDs to use with the new machines. Donors are invited to contact Keith Robinson on 846205.