Happy ending for Christmas diners

The words of Coleraine woman Margaret Peacock, who made an appeal through The Times last week. Coleraine Borough Council refused to fund a Christmas Day dinner that Margaret and her team have been running for pensioners in the borough for the past 21 years.

But, last Thursday, BBC Talkback picked up our story, and now Margaret has been inundated with donations from people from across the Province.

"I am totally overwhelmed," said an emotional Margaret.

"The reaction from people has been totally amazing."

During the radio programme a caller from County Down pledged support , while a pensioner gave a small donation and said: "I will pledge 100. I am a pensioner myself but I am lucky, I have a family."

Margaret went on: "Last week when I contacted The Times I was thinking to myself does anybody really care?

"But now I know there are some very kind people out

there.

"I can't thank The Times enough for highlighting our

situation."

Margaret says that 700 has been promised by pledgers, as well as two turkey crowns and a ham.

"I am so delighted, I could never have called up my seniors and told them that their dinner was cancelled this year."

You can still donate to the project, contact Nichola at The Coleraine Times on 703 5526O