Christmas treat for the blind and elderly in York (From York Press)

Christmas treat for the blind and elderly in York

6:30pm Wednesday 24th December 2008 in

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YORK Round Table – which is one of the oldest in Britain – has crowned a record year by handing out dozens of food hampers to some of the city’s neediest folk.

Forty hampers were picked up from Morrisons supermarket in Foss Islands Road and distributed to blind and elderly residents.

The York 65 Round Table, which was founded 75 years ago, has just been named as the fastest growing Round Table in Britain, said spokesman Martyn Stoakes, who thanked the supermarket for its support.

“As one of the oldest Round Tables in Great Britain, York has a proud record of fundraising and community service by its many members,” he said.

“Some of the groups we have made donations to over the past year are York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, Age Concern, The Samaritans, NSPCC, the Salvation Army, Lollipop and the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust.”

He said the organisation also helped many individuals in York, including children under the care of the NSPCC who were given Christmas presents.

“In addition to fundraising, over the years members of Round Table have also given their time to various community programme projects in York, including supporting the fundraising efforts of the Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children.”

He said that Round Table owed nothing to the Arthurian legend, deriving its title from a speech by the Prince of Wales in 1927, in which he said that the young business and professional men of Britain should get together round a table and work to meet the changing needs of the time.

“Round Table is all about having fun with a group of friends, while at the same time helping the local community.

“We organise events to broaden all our horizons, giving us chance to try our hand at activities we normally wouldn’t get round to.”

He said activities held over the past couple of years included go- karting, abseiling, archery, a night at the greyhound races and paintball.

The organisation had raised funds through the sale of tickets for the Theatre Royal pantomime dress rehearsal for more than 30 years. “All proceeds go to our charity fund, with last year being the best ever, raising more than £6,000.”

* Mr Stoakes said anyone aged between 18 and 45 who would like to find out more should go to rt65.com