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ST MARYS RC PRIMARY SCHOOL COLLECT 85 TOYS FOR APPEAL

12/17/2009

Local primary school St. Mary’s in Heaton Norris donated over 85 toys to the Xmas Toy Appeal and send a special envoy of children down to Handforth Dean to present what they had collected.

Headteacher Cathy Cunliffe said ‘At St. Mary’s school we encourage the children to always think of others. At this special time as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, the children are getting themselves ready by being ‘extra good’ and kind, - this appeal is a great way for children to support other children.’

‘Children giving to Children - sharing what we have with others’.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE – KEVIN MURPHY ANSWERS 20 QUESTIONS

12/14/2009

Kevin Murphy recently completed the ’20 Questions’ , asked to notable local business people and published by the Lancaster Guardian’

Published Date: 14 December 2009
Kevin Murphy, director and founding partner of BiG Storage, White Lund
1. What is your earliest recollection?
On one of our first foreign family holidays, I went exploring the hotel with my younger brother on day one and thought it a good idea to walk on the stepping stones crossing the swimming pool…and ended up falling in (fully clothed!)

2. What was your first job?
I ran my own tuck shop in school selling toast, sandwiches, chocolate and dinner tickets. This took place after my early morning paper round!

3. Happiest memory?
It goes without saying that my wedding day and the birth of my children were unforgettable. Everton’s 1995 FA Cup win also provokes happy memories – a great lads’ day out, from what I recall.

4. Biggest regret?
Not working harder at school…sixth form…or university!

5. Favourite song or artist?
The Beatles – Hey Jude, guaranteed to get people singing at the end of the night.

6. Most-thumbed book?
Dale Carnegie – Golden Rules For Success

7. Website most often visited?
www.bigstorage.info – my home page…you should try it!

8. Best-loved food?
When I’m a good boy, my wife Stevie does an incredible shoulder of lamb. If I’m doing the cooking it’s bacon butties and brown sauce all round!

9. What’s your tipple?
Lager to start, vodka & Red Bull to rev up the night with a brandy to finish.

10. What’s your must-watch TV programme?
Phoenix Nights whenever it’s on, or Gavin & Stacey at present

11. A film not to be missed?
Star Wars – no matter where you join in you know exactly what’s gone on!

12. Top holiday destination?
Favourite to date is Lanzarote, dream destination would have to be somewhere in the Indian Ocean.

13. Which football team’s result do you look for first on Saturday?
Liverpool – to see if they have been beaten, then whichever team has players in my fantasy football team that week.

14. Favourite car?
Aston Martin DB7

15. Pet, past or present?
Present – three kids aged three or under

16. Favourite perfume or aftershave?
Hugo Boss Element for him, Gucci Envy for her.

17. Which personality would you most like to meet?
Jamie Oliver – I’ve got a cracking business idea I’d love to pitch to him.

18. Biggest influence on your life so far?
Easy…mum and dad.

19. What difference would a lottery win make to you?
Trophy house, private education for the kids and rich family and friends.

20. What would be your dream job?
The owner of a self-storage business during an economic and housing boom.

EXTRA SECURITY AT CHESTER AS GIANT COMES ON SITE TO GUARD TOYS

12/11/2009

Despite the high security at BiG Storage the gifts that have been received so far have an extra special guard as they now in the safekeeping and under the watchful eye of Chester’s own gentle giant – Good Kind Wenceslas. He has taken up residence at BiG Storage for the duration of the appeal and has assured us that he is not moving until the charities come and collect the toys for onward distribution to the recipient children.

Two weeks to go until Xmas, and even though we have received lots of wonderful gifts for the ‘Make a real difference’ Xmas Toy Appeal – we do need more, so if you can, please help.

Remember its NEW toys we are looking for, suitable for children and teenagers up to the age of 16. The older children are sometimes overlooked, but they get just as excited about Christmas as the younger ones do. They are also just as easy to buy for and with all the fabulous offers out there this Xmas it shouldn’t make a noticeable difference on your pocket – toiletries go down a treat for both girls and boys, as do accessories, photo frames, hair care products, perfumes and aftershaves, scarves, gloves and so forth, the list is endless. Please donate your gifts, unwrapped, so that the charities can select suitable presents for the children and teenagers they represent.

Toys and Gifts can still be received up until 15th December, in order to give the Charities plenty of time to receive them and sort them for distribution to the families prior to Christmas. So please give the children and teenagers a thought when you are out this weekend doing your Christmas shopping, and if you can, please buy an extra gift for the appeal for either a child or teenager. Don’t worry if you can’t get your gift to us by this date, as we will ensure that all late donations are passed on in time for Xmas.

This is the third year that BiG Storage and the Chester Chronicle are running a Xmas Gift Appeal for the children of Save the Family and those from Claire House Children’s Hospice. Both Claire House Children’s Hospice and Save the Family are well known local organisations with the latter providing a lifeline to homeless families facing incredible hardship by providing a roof over their heads and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Andrew Donaldson of BiG Storage had this to say ‘ We are delighted to welcome good King Wenceslas to BiG Storage and feel that its only fitting that he keeps guard over the xmas gifts. BiG Storage is really grateful to the readers of the Chester Chronicle who have donated to the ‘Make a real difference’ Xmas Gift Appeal so far – also to the support received from local clubs, personalities and businesses. I am sure that Save the Family and Claire House Children’s Hospice will be delighted with the gifts they receive - the quality and standard of which really do demonstrate the generosity of the people of the area’.
BiG Storage on Sealand Road, the driving force behind the ‘Make a real difference’ gift appeal, is to be the main drop off point for the donated toys. The donations will then be stored in a clean, dry and secure storage unit until they are needed for Xmas delivery to the recipient children from the nominated charities. BiG Storage is located the Printworks on Sealand Road, next to B&Q and is clearly signed. Alternative visit www.bigstorage.info for a location map. Toys can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays or 10am – 2pm on Sundays at the BiG Storage reception which will be clearly sign posted. Please ask for Andrew, Brendan or John or ring 01244 399993.

ASTOUNDING PUBLIC RESPONSE TO BiG STORAGE TOY APPEAL

12/11/2009

The 350 sq.ft. BiG Storage unit at Handforth housing the gifts donated to the Xmas Toy Appeal met with gasps of utter amazement when some of the charities and organisations visited to make their initial selection of toys to distribute to the children that they support.

Scenes resembling a well stocked toy shop that seemed to offer every different kind of toy you could think of provided the organisations with tremendous choice from which they could make their selection, dependant upon the needs of the individual children that they support.

Some of the charities took toys away to provide gifts for the Christmas parties that are currently being held, others put their selections aside ready for collection over the next couple of weeks.

The response to the Xmas Toy Appeal has been utterly overwhelming as the general public have shown tremendous generosity despite most of us having to tighten our belts when it comes to Christmas spending this year!!

Here are just a few comments made by the benefitting charities and organisations,

Helen Crowther from the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust “It was fantastic to see how many toys have already been collected by Big Storage, I was blown away to see the unit brimming over with the most amazing toys – every one has been so kind!! I felt like a kid in a sweet shop being able to choose which toys to take for the children visiting us here at The Adventure Farm. I know they will get so much happiness out of these gifts, and I really can’t thank all the donors enough. I hope many more people will support the Toy Appeal, their generosity will bring a smile to the face of so many children this Christmas.”

Helen Archibald from the David Lewis Centre ‘Oh my word- have just seen the toys that Frank and Dave have brought back with them. They are absolutely wonderful and just right for the children here at the David Lewis Centre. There is such a selection - plenty of choice for both boys and girls. We really are amazed at how generous people in this community are- thank you so much!

Sally Bowden from The Together Trust ‘The Together Trust is hugely grateful to BiG Storage and the Toy Appeal. Thanks to the public’s generosity, over 500 disadvantaged children and young people in our fostering, residential care and special education services will receive a fantastic gift this Christmas.’

LOOK WHO’S BEEN SUPPORTING THE BiG STORAGE TOY APPEAL

12/01/2009