Andrew Mitchell MP has spent time in the run up to Christmas in the Royal Town’s Gracechurch Centre, speaking to Suttonians who have been fundraising for important charities.
Mr Mitchell met with a group of enthusiastic choir singers raising money for St Giles Hospice Care, who took a break from singing Christmas carols to chat with their MP about their fundraising activities.
He then met with young individuals from the Severn Trent and WaterAid, local charities that provide financial help to Severn Trent Water customers who are unable to pay their water charges. They were working hard and cycling non-stop to raise money for WaterAid, a charity with a focus on providing clean water and good hygiene to 34 countries around the world. Every pound raised by the group will be matched by the taxpayer, and they enthusiastically encouraged lots of donations by distributing sweets in exchange for a donation.
Finally, Mr Mitchell stopped off for a chat with Santa and his elves in his grotto in the centre of the Royal Town. Among the items on his long wish list, Mr Mitchell asked that Santa ensure that every person in the Royal Town has a Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Unfortunately, Santa was unable to disclose whether Mr Mitchell is on the nice or naughty list this year. Santa and his elves will be in Gracechurch every day up to and including Christmas Eve.
Following his tour around the Centre Andrew said “The Royal Town most definitely has the Christmas spirit. I can think of no better way to celebrate Christmas than by raising support for those in need. But everyone is also spreading a great deal of joy at the same time. You cannot avoid a sense of real community in Royal Sutton Coldfield”.