‘That’s a lot of chocolate!’: Colten Care care homes help brighten children’s Christmases

Residents, relatives, staff and community well-wishers around seven of our Hampshire care homes have helped a voluntary group brighten up Christmas for thousands of children.

In what has become an annual campaign, Colten Care supported The Chocolate Elf with donations of chocolate advent calendars and selection boxes.

More than 200 calendars were collected this year for onward distribution through Chocolate Elf contacts in local councils, children’s homes, charities, youth services, hospices, faith groups and women’s refuges.

The contributions were amassed ready for pick-up at Winchester dementia care home St Catherines View and presented to Chocolate Elf organiser Peter Orme by a party including residents Sue Ouvry and Barbara Evans.

On seeing the collection, Sue said: “That’s a lot of chocolate! It’s going to make many  children very happy.”

And Barbara said: “This is a marvellous idea, to give such a large amount to charity.”

Praising what he described as the ‘incredible generosity’ of donors across the county, Peter said the donations helped towards this year’s grand total of 4,000 gifts for less advantaged children channelled through more than 20 good causes.

“Without your kindness, they may have received little or nothing this Christmas,” he said. “Hard times bring out the best in people, and we couldn’t be more proud as we’ve exceeded last year’s donation total too. Just amazing. What a difference you’ve made.”

As well as St Catherines View and the Colten House head office in Ringwood, the Colten donations came from homes Abbotts Barton in Winchester, Woodpeckers in Brockenhurst, Kingfishers in New Milton and three in Lymington: Court Lodge, Belmore Lodge and Linden House.

Customer Service Advisor Tracy Baker, who has been a leading light in Colten Care’s input to Chocolate Elf for the past three years, said: “We know that Chocolate Elf donations can transform a child’s day and, in some instances, their whole Christmas. It’s such a great cause.”