MP thanks public for generosity

“Yet again the people from across Upper Bann showed the warmth and generosity of their character during my annual sit-outs,” said the DUP MP.

“The total of £1,000 raised in Banbridge for Donard School was an outstanding amount given the current economic circumstances and was up on the previous year.

“As a result of this most recent series of Christmas sit-outs the overall total for this annual event has now exceeded £25,000 in total. That is quite magnificent and is a tribute to the people of the area.

“This really was a wonderful response. I want to thank the local Banbridge schools – Banbridge Academy, Banbridge High School, Edenderry Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School and Donard Special School for allowing some pupils to come along and help out at intervals during the course of what was a very cold day.

“Once again I was greatly struck this year by the number of young people who stopped to make a donation.”

He added, “I also have to express my sincere thanks once again to the management and staff at ‘Super Valu’ who were so helpful throughout the day, in providing lots of tea, coffee and soup and also for very kindly donating all of the sweets etc that were available for the public on the day, as well as the welcome they gave to the whole event.

“I understand that there are plans to take a group of pupils to Disney Land later in the year and I hope that this will go a little way towards making it a memorable trip.

“The people of Banbridge have excelled themselves once again and I am so thankful to them for that.”