ANOTHER year has passed with a flurry of activity at Westbury’s Imperial Charity, which has continued to go from strength to strength in its 25th anniversary year.
The charity, started in 1990, is based on Warminster Road and raises money to provide entertainment and support for people with special needs and the elderly in Wiltshire.
Manager Bob Summerfield said, “This year has been extremely difficult and long because we’ve been so exceptionally busy. The charity has been much busier than previous years, which is brilliant.
“So far in 2015 we have provided 86 care home entertainment sessions, seven coach trips, two variety shows, and have sponsored seven special needs schools across the county.
“The way things are shaping up I expect next year to be even busier, and it’s all down to the generosity of local people, staff and volunteers.”
Despite a number of shops in the town centre – most recently Clements and It’s New to You – closing down in recent months, Imperial Charity’s shops on Warminster Road have bucked the trend.
“The shops are doing extremely well,” Bob continued. “The shops being busy has meant that we have raised a lot of money, so are able to do more in the way of charity work.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed to the charity, and to our staff and volunteers; Imperial is very well supported by the local community, and we couldn’t do what we do without that help.
“We get fantastic feedback from the people we work with and who come to our shows or we visit in care homes; they love it. I really can’t think of a better way to spend mine or the charity’s time than making these people happy. It is a lot of hard work but it’s all worthwhile if we can offer something special.
“Next year’s plan is to keep arranging the entertainment and growing the charity, and we’ve always got an eye open for new ideas. Imperial is well established in Wiltshire and can only go from strength to strength in the future.”
Imperial Charity raises money from two shops in the town centre and uses it to help elderly people or those with special needs across Wiltshire.
To find out more visit the shops at 23 and 27 Warminster Road, call 01373 826826, or visit www.imperialcharity.co.uk
