Let's celebrate (From Barry And District News)

Let's celebrate

OUR Massive £5,000 Fix-It Campaign gave eight local charities an extra special reason to celebrate this Christmas.

The Barry and District News and Round Table, who teamed up exclusively in a bid to help the town's most deserving people and projects, have dished out an impressive £1,100 in the campaign's first session.

Athlete James Savory scooped £200 to help him on his way to the World Special Olympics; disabled youngster Joshua Hooper now has the £200 to go to Center Parks Aqua World for a holiday and the 10th Barry Guides have been given £50 to help furnish their hall.

Two playgroups have benefited as well - Heol Y Llys Bilingual Playgroup and West End Playgroup have each been given £100 for equipment. Barry Action Research has £250 to add to funds, and Barry Old Age Pensioners Association is £100 better off.

And as a special treat Barry Women's Aid has been give £100 worth of toys for the children, from Round Table in conjunction with Hyper Value.

But, don't despair if you haven't had a response to your application. The deadline has now been extended to Thursday, January 14. To apply, we simply want you to write to us explaining clearly, on blank paper, why you deserve a helping hand.

Give us a good reason why the campaign should step in and fix it for your group, special cause or needy friend and you could be awarded anything from new toys for a playgroup to a day trip for a sick person.

But don't forget the campaign will run for six weeks only so the sooner the applications are received the better.

Please make sure the group or individual you are nominating operates or lives in the Barry area and that you put down exactly the amount of money you require. Send in your form any time.

Each application will be judged on its merits by a special Fix-It team comprising Barry Round Table members Steven Dite, Dean Caddy, Hugh Jones and Steve Cavell, plus Barry and District News editor Sue Vincent-Jones.

Money for the campaign has been collected over the past year through Barry Round Table's successful fundraising efforts. These include a casino night and a recent boxing tournament.