People still feeling benefit of Cracker Appeal donations

It is more than a month after Christmas and people are still benefiting from the generosity of donors to the Cracker Appeal.

Nearly £10,000 was raised by the Advertiser's annual appeal, which pays for Christmas parties and days out for deserving organisations.

Long-standing partners Copas Traditional Turkeys also donated enough festive birds to feed 900 people.

One group to benefit is Maidenhead Housing Solutions, which received a cheque of £1,450.50.

The cash paid for roast lunches which the sheltered housing provider runs at its 10 Royal Borough schemes.

Head of community services Claire Daly said celebrations are arranged for before and after Christmas to help battle loneliness and boost morale.

She said: "We do a lot with our residents all along the year. We have a pre-Christmas lunch then one after.

"If people do not have a family. it makes sure they are not sat alone at a vulnerable time."

"They have a great time and don't have to worry about the cost."

On Saturday, January 18, everyone at Christian Smith House in Heywood Avenue got together for a festive-style buffet thanks to the appeal.

Community housing officer at Christian Smith, Lesley Taylor, said that parties are organised at the sheltered accommodation right through to Easter.

This, she says, can help with beating the new-year blues.

She added: "They are really good. It gets everybody together. It's nice to do it after Christmas, it gives them something to look forward to."

Summerleaze Vets in Summerleaze Road, Maidenhead, raised money for the appeal for the first time last year.

The vets raised more than £100.

Practice manager Caroline Linton said: "We had two buckets up in reception and had all the leaflets in reception area.

"The clients are really generous. A lot of people put in £10 notes in the bucket. It's a really worthy cause for local community."

The Cracker Appeal was supported by businesses across the town, including the Magnet Leisure Centre which held sporting challenges to raise funds.