THE GIFT OF CREATIVITY AT CHRISTMAS

THE ARTS SOCIETY CHELTENHAM

Having been disappointed by the postponement of the exciting International Day which we had planned for last June with St John’s Primary School and a variety of arts practitioners, and having received a grant from the Trafford Fund which is now on hold, The Arts Society Cheltenham hit upon the idea of launching a preChristmas appeal to members for funding to provide arts and crafts materials as Christmas presents for children who would otherwise have little access to such items.

The appeal was launched in November and thanks to the generosity of our members it raised well over £700. Gifts were DONATED GIFTS https://theartssocietycheltenham.org.uk purchased, delivered in large quantities and wrapped for Christmas! They were delivered to Home-Start Cheltenham and North Cotswolds, based in Winchcombe and covering Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean as well as Cheltenham, and to Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees. Both of these organisations collaborated with us brilliantly by giving relevant details for all the gifts so that age-appropriate items could be ordered. All of the parcels were delivered in plenty of time for Christmas and were enthusiastically and gratefully received by both organisations. We are also grateful to everyone involved and hope that the presents received will inspire creativity

Elise Forbes Arts Volunteering, TASC

and give pleasure to all the families.

Elise (right) with Nathalie Genes from Cheltenham Welcomes Refugees with the Christmas presents.