Burgess Hill Christmas appeal raises £640

The funds raised by the appeal, which was organised by Roger Cartwright, mayor of Burgess Hill, have been split equally between St Peter and St James Hospice, Neighbourly Care and Age UK West Sussex, three charities which provide befriending services.

Mr Cartwright said: ‘We have now closed the Christmas appeal, and the money raised is being passed on to the three local charities we supported.

“The money has been put towards befriending services in Burgess Hill that provide support and companionship for people who are homebound during these very difficult times.

“Thank you to all of those who donated to the appeal, your generosity will let those who are isolated know they are not forgotten.”

Neighbourly Care is a charity with DBS checked volunteers who help people of all ages with shopping, prescriptions and phone calls.

Age UK provides befriending phone calls for those who are feeling lonely or isolated and a range of other support services.

St Peter and St James Hospice has recently launched ‘Community Reach’, a free emotional support service to tackle isolation and loneliness.