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

Despite a very slow start, we went on to beat even last year’s amazing total and this raised a magnificent £6,862.74.

Gene Spurr has organised this service for nearly 30 years and works tirelessly each year to coordinate more than 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 highlighting our presence.

All its staff go out of their way to help throughout December.

Many members of the public return each year to support us.

Local businesses are very generous with donations and encouragement.

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

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

If anyone would like to help us in any way, please contact Leanne Labrow (Leanne.Labrow@fortalice.co.uk.)

All contributions are most gratefully received.

Diane Hawkins

Chairman

Fortalice Ltd