Fundraising idea is nicely wrapped up

YOUNGSTERS gave up their free time to wrap Christmas presents for their neighbours this weekend in exchange for donations towards their own good cause.

Young people in Thurton and Ashby St Mary, north of Loddon, threw themselves into the festive spirit by wrapping gifts and serving refresh-ments at the village's Christmas social in a bid to raise money for their playing field.

The youngsters, aged between nine and 15, formed a committee six months ago to organise their own fundraising events.

Karen Bonsell, who is on the village hall committee, said: “We're very lucky with what we have got in the village, but some people have been moaning that there have been youths hanging about and looking untoward, when really there's not that much for them to do. We asked them to tell us what they would like to see in the village and they were keen to help.

“They suggested the present-wrapping idea themselves, which was really nice.”

Thanks to their hard work, the youngsters, who have run jumble sales, car washes, bingo nights and a Halloween fun run, have already managed to secure their first reward - a fun cycle track dug out in one corner of the field, which they are keen to develop into a full circuit.