DECEMBER 2019 | Local interest
Amy Farmer from the Alex, Ryan Heal Rockinghorse CEO, Trevor Watson, and Rockinghorse Community Fundraiser, Hollie Trezise
and the one retiree, willingly handed over his customers to another agent. To be fair to the Albion, they agreed to a handover event at the Amex, which, together with Ryan’s enthusiasm, certainly helped overcome the previous disappointment.” Five years later and while a few agents may have retired, there is still a fantastic team treading the streets from Hailsham to Littlehampton, selling scratchcards and weekly lottery tickets to their equally committed regular customers. In November the total monies raised since inception passed £75,000. And over the years there have also been some surprising initiatives. As Trevor says, “While we have had people asking for scratchcards as wedding favours, the most successful idea was to sell packs of scratchcards in Christmas wrapping paper with a chocolate on top. Last year we sold over 400 packs of three or five card sets. People love them as stocking fillers or table presents. It is a bit of fun, also the chance to make a small donation to the charity, and a little reminder that even at Christmas children are in hospital.” Trevor and wife Julie (who has lived in the village for over 40 years and is the society’s treasurer), have their own heartwarming Rockinghorse story.
01273 494002
Their daughter started visiting the hospital from the age of two and was a regular over the next sixteen years. Julie takes up the story: “Kelly had a few problems and as every parent knows a visit to a hospital is an incredibly stressful and concerning experience. When we first went The Alex was based in Dyke Road, a horribly dated and unpleasant building. However, from walking in and seeing the actual rockinghorse, our spirits and more importantly those of Kelly, lifted every time. Throughout the years the support we were given by everyone was incredible.” Kelly is now grown up and fully recovered. But for Julie those memories linger: “We have experienced what many parents and young patients go through and perhaps not surprisingly Rockinghorse is our favourite charity. Therefore, it is wonderful to be able to give a little back.” If you would like more information about the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, visit www.rockinghorse.org.uk. If you would like to join the £2 weekly lottery (you could win up to £5,000) or wish to purchase some Christmas wrapped (or unwrapped) scratchcards, call Trevor or Julie on 01273 495224.
Trevor Watson
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