Thanks to the kindness of local people, the Palace Theatre Newark has been able to spread some extra Christmas joy through Palace Presents, a gift donation scheme initially set up in 2020.

The fourth year of Palace Presents has seen its success continue with 229 gifts being donated to four local charities – Newark Women’s Aid, YMCA Newark and Sherwood, Newark Emmaus Trust and Beaumond House.

The YMCA said that the scheme would make a real difference, while Newark Women’s Aid added that the presents would all be used wisely.

Palace Presents organiser and theatre operations manager Jennie Bowmar said: “As well as everyone who took time to thoughtfully wrap and donate a special gift, I want to say a special thank you to Glenis Willis, the Special Educational Needs coordinator at Newark Academy, who got some of their Year 9 students involved for their Prince’s Trust Community Project work, and to Newark’s fantastic Claire’s Accessories branch which donated enough of their stock to make around 60 extra gifts!”

Counr Rowan Cozens, deputy leader and portfolio holder for Heritage and Culture at Newark and Sherwood District Council, added: “The generosity of our residents, especially at a financially challenging time for many, is truly heart-warming. More local people in need will now be sharing in the joyful experience of opening presents on Christmas Day and I want to send my personal wishes for festive happiness to everyone who has been involved in making that happen.”

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