Wonford childrens party cheering after receiving Tesco cheque for £350.00 Picture by Paul Hamlyn.

Festive boost for Dream-A-Way children

A Christmas party for children organised by Exeter charity Dream-A-Way was given a festive boost thanks to the local Tesco Extra store.

Colleagues from the Tesco Extra Exeter Vale handed over a cheque for £350 to the charity, which helps people with physical and learning difficulties throughout Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Jo Evans, Community Champion at the Tesco Extra Exeter Vale store, and a team of colleagues attended the Christmas party, at Wonford Community Centre & Learning Centre Burnthouse Lane, which provides and keeps open a Community Centre for the benefit of the people of Wonford and District.

Two colleagues dressed as elves for the party, as well as assisting Santa and helping with the raffle.

A Tesco home economist, Jackie Barnett, was on hand to provide a cookie-decorating workshop for the children.

Tesco also provided fruit packs and £10 gift cards for those who attended.

The Exeter-based charity provides grants towards holidays and day trips – whether it is fulfilling a lifetime dream, experiencing great opportunities or just having ‘time out’ from daily routines.

People of all ages and from around the South West are helped in every way possible to have a Dream-A-Way holiday.

Jo Evans, Community Champion at the Tesco Extra Exeter Vale store on Russell Way, said: “Dream-A-Way does a wonderful job of helping people enjoy a break from everyday life and experience things they would not normally be able to do. The Christmas party was a great event and we were delighted to be able to support it.”

Dream-A-Way volunteer Donna Ryan said: “Last year Dream-A-Way helped nearly 2,000 people to enjoy a very special experience including over 300 who were taken on wonderful days out, over 1,200 guests were given caravan holidays at the seaside and more than 100 people fulfilled their dream holiday.

“We are extremely grateful to Tesco for their support and for helping even more people to make their dreams come true.”

Sadie Haggerty (Acting) Hall Manager at Wonford Community Centre, said: “With the centre at the heart of the Wonford Community it’s an ideal venue for events such as the Dream-A-Way party. Wonford Community and Learning Centre are proud to be supporting such a lovely local community event - seeing all the children enjoying the activities was really quite something.”