Watford Christmas card raises thousands for charity

Every year, the mayor sends out a card sponsored by local firms to charities and groups across Watford.

This year, primary school pupil Kristian from Beechfield School helped design the festive Christmas card that helped raise money to support Random Café in Watford - a community food hub – and therapy charity Playskill.

The winning card features Santa in his sleigh, flying over Watford.

Many firms including Camelot, Watford Football Club, Everyone Active and more helped support the Christmas card and funding these charities.

Andrea Clarke, founder of Playskill, says that the money raised can help the charity to “expand to meet the demand the town”.

Kristian designed the Christmas card for this year

She added: "This past year has shown us more than ever how incredibly important our work is, with demand for our services at an all-time high.

“Our groups really are a lifeline to parents and children who are living with physical disabilities and it’s vital that we raise the funds to continue them.”

Meanwhile Jane Johnson, founder of Random Café, said: “This donation will make a big difference to us continuing to maintain our valuable service.

“The Random Café is such an important project with a strong focus on sustainability as well as offering something truly needed in the area with the pay as you can ethos in the pop-up shop and future café.”

Mayor Peter Taylor said: “I am so pleased that their generous donations will have a positive impact for my chosen charities this year, Random Café Watford and Playskill, so that they can continue helping people in Watford and Hertfordshire.

“I am also so grateful to Beechfield School and Kristian for the brilliant card design.”