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Search forDerby Lions' festive appeal give cash boost as new Tesco store is unveiled (with audio)
Tuesday, December 02, 2008, 10:25
Members of Derby Lions Club were given £1,000 by supermarket chain Tesco towards the club's Christmas Collection appeal.
The campaign, which is being supported by the Evening Telegraph, invites schoolchildren across the county to donate food and drink to people in need.
The Lions received the cash when Tesco's new city-centre store, Tesco Metro, in St Peter's Street, was officially opened yesterday.
Group president Lynn Faulkner, who cut the ribbon, said: "It is a brilliant gesture by Tesco and an incredibly generous thing for them to do. It will help us to tackle the demand we get from people this Christmas, which may be great considering the current economic climate."
Sixty-one playgroups, infant, junior and primary schools are taking part in the appeal.
They have spent the past month collecting tins and packets of food and drink to fill collection boxes sent by the Lions to their schools.
The boxes will be collected by the group this week and delivered to local charities, organisations and individuals over the Christmas period.
Tesco store manager David Harmon, who presented the cheque to the Lions, said: "I know they do really good work and we all know at Tesco that the money is going to a really good cause.
"My father has links with a Lions club in Hereford, so it was a pleasant surprise to see Tesco choose to support this appeal."
Thousands poured through the doors of the new supermarket – in the former Marks & Spencer food store –yesterday after its 7am opening.
Services manager Steve Stokes said the flow of customers had gradually increased throughout the day.
Customers also agreed that the opening day had been a big success.
Enid Chamberlain, 77, of Lea Drive, Mickleover said: "It looks good and there's a lot of lovely produce here."
Linda Chadderton, 59, of Allestree Lane, Allestree, said: "It's a very nice store and I'm really impressed with it."
Derby Lions have been running Christmas collections for more than 20 years.
To get involved in this year's, call Brian Burke on Derby 573334 or e-mail bribal@ tiscali.co.uk.
CHEQUE OUT: Lynn Faulkner, of Derby Lions, with the £1,000 cheque they received from Tesco at the opening of the new St Peter's Street store, in Derby. Right, George Hilliams, three, takes a breather in a shopping trolley outside the new store
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