SHOPPERS in Uxbridge who turned to helpful volunteers for assistance wrapping their Christmas gifts contributed to a much needed £17,500 boost for charity.
The Christmas Wrapping Service stalls were set up throughout December in The Chimes and Mall Pavilions shopping centres, both in High Street, Uxbridge.
Once again the event was backed by Barclays, which then matched the amount raised - doubling it to an even more impressive £35,000.
A total of 28 local charities, including Life Education Hillingdon, Harlington and Michael Sobell Hospices, Hillingdon Shopmobility, Hillingdon Autistic Care and Support and RSPCA Hillingdon, will split the money between them.
The Mall Pavilions saw a 30% rise on demand for its service on Christmas Eve alone.
Nicholas Smith, Barclays community & events manager, said: "We would like to thank all the customers of the Chimes and the Mall Pavilions for their generosity.
"Also to the Chimes and Mall Pavilions for supplying free all the wrapping materials and thereby everything was profit for the charities. This is a marvellous amount and would not have been possible without all the volunteers that demonstrated their creative skills wrapping presents."
The wrapping service will be back for Valentine's Day 12th - 14th February.
