North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson and his wife Jo joined dozens of volunteer helpers from CALM, the Swindon Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement, on 21 December to relieve the burden of the Christmas rush by helping to pack the bags of customers at Morrisons in Haydon Wick.
The independent charity cares for the needs of families within the Swindon and Marlborough NHS District who have been affected by cancer or leukaemia. CALM is entirely run by parents and all money raised goes to helping families with a child receiving treatment or in recovery.
The Morrisons bag pack was started by employee Sam Goodchild after her daughter Charlie died after a long battle with cancer on 22 December 2005.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "Customers were in a very generous and festive in spirit; their contributions are crucial for CALM which aims to improve the quality of life for both the children going through treatment, and the parents and families during and after treatment. It's a time of physical, emotional and often financial strain and the charity does such tremendous work to relieve the pressure."
CALM chairman Richard Crowley said: "The Christmas bag pack at Morrison is one of our biggest fundraisers. The volunteers really get into the spirit and the customers are always very generous. We were also helped by members of XXIV Squadron from RAF Brize Norton. We raised just over £2,600 which is a fantastic total for a one day fundraiser."
