I AM delighted to write on behalf of all at Fortalice, Bolton Women’s Refuge and Support Centre, to thank everyone involved with the wrapping of Christmas presents in the Market Place during December.

This year several records were broken: £6,798.40 was donated by generous members of the public, which is the highest annual figure ever achieved, and the total raised since 1995 exceeds £103,000.

As you reported on 27 December, Gene Spurr has organised this service from the beginning and works tirelessly each year to co-ordinate over 100 volunteers to wrap and decorate presents with paper, bows and ribbons.

The Market Place continue their generosity by supplying the paper, setting up our stalls and encouraging support. All their staff go out of their way to help throughout December.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Gene, the staff of the Market Place, our volunteers and of course the shoppers of Bolton who return annually.

It is 40 years since Fortalice opened its first Refuge in Bolton and our services are needed as much as ever.

If anyone would like to donate to “Fortalice – Celebrating 40 years” please go to our Just Giving page. All contributions are most gratefully received.

Diane Hawkins

Chairman

Fortalice Ltd