Haywards Heath Town Council thanks community for its offers of support during campaign

The Leaving No One Behind at Christmas campaign was organised by Alastair McPherson, town mayor, who has said he was ‘thrilled and delighted’ by the response of the community, and by the Christmas spirit being shared with vulnerable and elderly people.

He said: “We had more than 50 volunteers who signed up to call the elderly but no takers so obviously our elderly were very well looked after over the festive period – wonderful community

“We also had Barratt Homes and Batcheller Monkhouse sponsorship, so we put together more than 200 packages for the elderly to open on Christmas day, including handmade cards from pupils at Northlands Wood Primary Academy.

“These were distributed in all the care homes and through Caremark, AGEUK West Sussex and our Haywards Heath Dementia Friendly Community Group.

“We are sure these brought a smile to all the elderly in our community on Christmas day.”

Mr McPherson said how the council was ‘inundated’ with offers of support from volunteers and businesses.

He said: “There have been so many people and community groups involved to deliver this appeal and I would like to thank Barratt Wilson Homes and Batcheller Monkhouse for their seasonal kindness, our wonderful children and teachers in our primary schools who have put in so much of their own time and work for this appeal and to the dedicated staff at Haywards Heath Town Council who always put in that extra mile on our community projects and events.

“A huge thank you also to AGE UK West Sussex, Caremark and the Haywards Heath Dementia Friendly Community, who have worked together with us to make sure this campaign is a success.

“The team spirit and partnerships throughout this project have been vital to the success of this appeal.

“It clearly demonstrates the wonderful level of kindness and support of the community we have in Haywards Heath.

“I hope we all draw strength from the wonderful community we are so lucky to have in our town.”