ACCOUNTANTS HAVE CHRISTMAS WRAPPED UP AT INTU ELDON SQUARE

When The Children’s Foundation were putting together their online wish list for their Christmas gift wrapping shop in intu Eldon Square – they didn’t realise that accounting firm, Leathers LLP, would dip into their own pockets and buy the full list. Leathers LLP, who fulfil The Children’s Foundation yearly audit, and have been long term supporters of the Foundation - decided to make their Christmas contribution more unusual this year. The Children’s Foundation always need wrapping paper, ribbons, bows and the more mundane yet essential sellotape - to carry out their gift wrapping service for intu Eldon Square shoppers in aid of donations during December. With a stream of shoppers and teams of volunteers – a well-stocked shop is needed to raise the vital funds needed for the children of the North East. Michael Leather, Leathers LLP, said: “ I received The Children’s Foundation’s Newsletter asking for contributions of wrapping paper – we bought a few rolls as our Christmas contribution to the charity and then thought ‘Why not buy the list?’. We’ve supported the Children’s Foundation for many years now, and year on year we can see the great work they do funding medical and lifestyle research as well as a number of innovative community- based projects with the aim of improving children’s health across the North East.” Libby Nolan, Fundraising Manager at The Children’s Foundation, added: “Last year we raised £3,300 in donations during the time the Gift Wrapping store was in centre, and that is a huge fund raising boost to the charity. We are very grateful for the continuing support of intu Eldon Square, who for the last 5 years has transformed a temporarily empty unit into a festive gift-wrapping area that has resulted in increased donations year on year. We’ve also had continued support from retailers and the general public with both donations of gift-wrap and volunteer time! It’s great that Leathers LLP have been able to come on board this year sponsoring the gift wrapping product, as well as volunteering to help with gift wrapping at our store that is based on High Friars, between Spudulike and West Coast, from 13^th – 24^th December.” Joan Taylor, Marketing Manager at intu Eldon Square, commented: “The intu Eldon Square gift wrapping scheme is always a great success, and we are delighted to be able to partner with The Children’s Foundation and provide this service again this Christmas. At a special time of giving, we are pleased to be able to help both our shoppers and a very worthwhile cause indeed!”