Bassetlaw woman ‘over the moon’ with over £7,000 of presents for hard-up kids

Rachael Bown, who works for Worksop’s B&B Industrial Dismantling Ltd, toiled for three days shopping for over 700 presents - almost depleting stocks at The Entertainer while spending the cash.

The massive haul of goodies - for children aged 0-18 - will go to Worksop charities From The Heart and Mission Christmas and Worksop Salvation Army.

Presents delivered to From The Heart will be given to youngsters through Women’s Aid and Sure Start while Mission Christmas gifts will spread across Bassetlaw, Doncaster and Chesterfield.

A picture taken by Rachael of B&B Industrial Dismantling Ltd’s back office shows the room bursting with toys from floor to ceiling.

Among them is everything from bikes and dollhouses to crafts kits and robots - as well as items for teens such as makeup and aftershave.

Delighted health and safety manager Rachael said: “There was so much we couldn’t actually get into the office - I had to take the photo from the corridor.

“But this is lovely because this has been a tough year and we’re talking about kids who would literally have nothing to open on Christmas Day otherwise.

“When I saw how much we’d got I started tearing up.”

This is the fourth year that Rachael’s employer - along with four other contractors from the area - have raised money to make children’s lives a little brighter at Christmas.

The firms’ previous record - last year - was £2,000.

Rachael, 29, said: “I’m over the moon - it’s the most we’ve ever raised and donated - I thought last year was a phenomenal year but this year I had to sit down.”

She told how the first deliveries had already gone to Worksop and Retford families through From The Heart however the charity was unable to take any more gifts.

So the remainder will go to Mission Christmas and Worksop Salvation Army.

Rachael’s appeal was backed with donations from the National Federation of Demolition Contractors.

And other firms who donated include Demex Ltd, Ron Hull Demolition Ltd, A Buckler Ltd and Expotrak Ltd.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.