The Skegness Community Church of the Nazarene recently presented the Skegness Branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association with a cheque for £180 thanks to the continuing success of the Meeting Point Charity Shop which the church operates in the County Hotel on North Parade, Skegness. Each month since April a donation has been made to a different local charity and to date the donation have exceeded £800.

This particular donation was augmented by money raised each Wednesday evening during December as our minister and members of our congregation 'entertained' the hotel guests who were enjoying a 'tinsel and turkey' holiday break. The 'entertainment' took the form of a mixture of traditional and modern carols and Christmas songs, interspersed with seasonal anecdotes and - yes - jokes (see report on Children's Party)

The Charity Shop isn't just about raising money, it is providing an opportunity to help the community through personal contact with caring people and many people have benefited from being able to purchase good quality used items at sensible and affordable prices. The Church wishes to convey its thanks to the many people who have donated items for sale and to the many volunteers who run the shop and provide a listening ear over a cup of coffee to the many visitors each week. The Hotel management and staff have co-operated fully with this project and a special thanks goes to Ross Muirhead, the Hotel General Manager.

Pictured is Branch Treasurer, Val Liffen, with her Guide Dog Sweep, receiving the donation from the Reverend Ian Banks, together with Peter Newsome, Branch Organiser, with retired Guide Dog, Ada, and Jane Orchard, who is a member of the church, and her working dog Rea.