NEW JOURNAL CHRISTMAS HAMPER APPEAL 2010 - Mayor Jonathan Simpson and Councillor Tulip Siddiq bring Xmas cheer to the borough

Published: 23 December 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

HE HAS rosy cheeks, a rotund belly and a red ­and white suit – and as he delivered Christmas hampers to Camden’s most deserving residents this week, he looked remarkably like Camden’s mayor, Councillor Jonathan Simpson.

Santa joined the New Journal on Tuesday to spread festive cheer around the borough by delivering hampers to elderly people, single-parent families and those struggling to make ends meet.

This year, despite widespread financial hardship, we smashed all previous records as readers dug deep and raised a staggering £14,000 to spend on hampers and toys for the isolated or needy.

Two lucky recipients  to be visited by Father Christmas and his friendly elf, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Regent’s Park councillor Tulip Siddiq, were John and Beryl Dewing, who have been married for 39 years and live in Belsize Mews.

Mr Dewing, 95, a Second World War veteran and former chief cashier at Lloyds Bank, suffers from dementia, is deaf and partially sighted and also suffered a stroke a few months ago. 

His wife Beryl, 72, who also had pancreatic cancer and is an insulin-dependent diabetic, is his full-time carer, despite her own health problems. “It gets quite lonely because you can’t really have a proper conversation with John any more,” she said.

“It is also quite tiring because I do have my own health problems too, so I’m very grateful for everyone who contrib­uted to the appeal. It’s a lovely gift.”

Also to benefit was  93-year-old grandmother Kate Batsford, who showed off her collection of knitted Santa Clauses, which she had been handing out to friends and neighbours to spread her own Christmas cheer.

She took advantage of Santa’s arrival by asking him to fill up her bird feeder, which she is unable to re-fill. She said: “Well, I said the next time someone came round I’d ask them to do it and no one ever comes, so you’re the first.”

Lucy Day, 90, who has lived in Marsden Street for 40 years, was also in the festive spirit when Santa paid her a visit. 

She said she was hoping to visit her daughter outside  London for Christmas Day, but was unsure because of the snow. 

Ewart Field, 83, of Queen’s Crescent, was also grateful for the visit after suffering from a bout of depression. 

He said he was looking forward to a Christmas lunch at Kentish Town Evangelical Church in Bassett Street. 

This year, in addition to festive hampers, the New Journal appeal delivered toys across the borough. 

Children at Gospel Oak Children’s Centre were delighted to be visited by Father Christmas – who hand delivered them a present – although the sharpest children suspected he was in fact the centre’s administration finance officer, Sylvia Kirk.

Debbie Hall, the centre head, said the extra toys and dressing up costumes would be valued by the children who go there. “This will bring a lovely smile to all their faces and we have a wide variety of children with different situations and difficulties who come here, so it is great for them to receive that extra present,” she added. 

• See next week’s New Journal for a full list of donors and more pictures from a magical day of deliveries.