THE young people of Pershore have benefited from a late present from Santa’s sleigh.

The £1,600 remaining in the former Pershore and District Round Table’s coffers raised by last year’s Christmas collections has paid for an overhead projector for the Riverside Youth Centre.

Andrew Potts, past chairman of the Pershore and District Round Table, presented a cheque to chairman of the youth centre’s trustees Councillor Liz Tucker.

Mr Potts said: “Many people in Pershore and the surrounding villages will have fond memories of Santa with his sleigh at the Christmas charity collection led by Pershore and District Round Table.

“Sadly, this branch no longer meets, but ex-members have been looking for some time for an organisation in Pershore that could benefit from funds remaining from sleigh collections.

“We are delighted to have been contacted by the Riverside Youth Centre and to have assisted them with the funding of an overhead projector.

“This is a great way to return the final Round Table charity funds to the youth of Pershore.”

Youth centre manager Alex Mellor said: “On behalf of the young people, I am pleased to say a very big thank you to the former Round Tablers and Liz Tucker, our trustee chairman, who has certainly turned this place around.”

He said members of the youth club were delighted they could now play computer games on a three-metre- wide screen.

Other civic dignitaries, including Wychavon District Council chairman Andrew Dyke and the Mayor of Pershore Chris Parsons, also keenly support the youth centre.

They were present at an open day on Saturday, June 20, when more than £800 was raised – including £522 from the charity duck race alone.

All the proceeds will be going into the youth club’s funds.