The annual collection made by members of Wigan Rotary Club in the company of Father Christmas throughout December 2016 has been a huge success with the total amount raised reaching £15,073! The club considers this a magnificent achievement by Wiganers.

Wigan Rotary President Maureen Bilsbrough said ‘ I would like to thank everyone along the floats routes each evening and in the Supermarkets for their terrific generosity, which will enable Wigan Rotary Club to support local, national and international charities to which we are committed. This support is an amazing testament for us and will encourage us to try even harder in 2017.’
Maureen continued ‘we are extremely grateful for everyone’s generosity.

All the helpers are volunteers who willingly give up their time and our only expenses are for maintenance of the float, petrol for the generator, and insurance, the members of the club meet all the other costs”. She added “We would also like to thank our Sponsors, other local businesses that have helped and Wigan Council whose Directors and staff from Finance also helped to fill the coffers.

There was valuable support from local groups and clubs including the newly formed Rotary Interact Club. The local Supermarkets, Asda and Tesco, along with staff at The Galleries, and the Town Centre Manager, who all offered venues to facilitate collections, plus last but not least, the invaluable support of local press who promote our activities throughout the year, so what a wonderful example of community engagement”.