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Christmas comes but twice a year as WACCL hands out cash for charities
Wakefield Annual Charity Christmas Lunch (WACCL), which launched in 2011, has handed over cheques for £5,500 to each of three beneficiaries: Levi’s Star, Star Bereavement, and the Theatre Royal Wakefield Performance Academy.
Initially set up to bring the business community together for a Christmas event that would raise funds to support local children’s charities and causes within the Wakefield district, the event, which is entirely run and organised by volunteers, is now in its twelfth year.
Thanks to the generosity of those attending in 2022, a total fund of £16,500 has been allocated to support the work of Levi’s Star, a charity supporting children with brain tumours and their families throughout Yorkshire; Star Bereavement, a small charity that offers support to children, young adults up to 25 years and families across the Wakefield District affected by the death of someone important to them; and Theatre Royal Wakefield Performance Academy, a weekend performance training programme for young people in the Wakefield area.
Chair of the WACCL committee, Clare Thornton, comments: “It’s at this point, when we hand the cheques over, that the purpose of WACCL becomes very clear to us all. This is what it’s all about. Knowing that we can raise money for such incredible causes is simply fantastic.
“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes at WACCL and I would like to thank the committee and all those that support us year after year to make the event and the contributions possible.
“We wish all of our beneficiaries from 2022 the best of luck in the future and thank them all for sharing their stories and being a part of our journey.”
Vicky Ringer from Levi’s Star, comments: “We are extremely grateful to WACCL for supporting us and helping make a very real difference to children suffering the devastation of a brain tumour.
“We would not be able to do the work we do without the support of the community. WACCL is instrumental in bringing together the kind-hearted business community of Wakefield to help support local charities. Bravo WACCL!”
Sarah Shooter, Head of Development for Theatre Royal Wakefield, comments: “We are delighted to be a beneficiary of WACCL. It has allowed us to engage even more young people from the Wakefield District and support them to develop confidence, new skills and have fun. Many have also enjoyed providing some entertainment during the WACCL event, giving them a further chance to shine!”
Bringing together more than 300 guests during the Christmas lunch experience, those attending WACCL 2023 will enjoy a complimentary glass of fizz, three-course dinner, entertainment, games, a raffle, and an auction.
Tickets are just £60 each or £550 for table of ten and can be ordered from this link: https://www.eventbrite. co.uk/e/665296739457
For further details about WACCL, its beneficiaries and the organisations that it will support during 2023,please visit: https://waccl.co.uk/