Surprise Christmas gifts delight elderly residents

All the 23 residents at St Wilfrid’s Arundel Priory care home, in London Road, received surprise gifts from the Littlehampton branch of The Body Shop.

The donation from the less-than-secret Santa’s at the retailer was part of the store’s festive fundraising drive to support good causes over the winter period.

Home manager Rachael Staker said: “We are absolutely amazed and really grateful.

“Staff at the Body Shop have been so generous. It means a lot, particularly to the elderly residents who are quiet lonely at Christmas.

“We’re all like an extending family here.

“It’s really heartwarming that people are so generous at this time of year.”

The presents were donated to the priory a week before Christmas during a ceremony at The Body Shop head office, in Watersmead, Littlehampton.

Members of the TLA Steel Band performed during the handover of the presents by The Body Shop to staff at the care home.

The day was part of the store’s Giving Tree appeal.

As part of the appeal, presents were also given out to other local charities, including homeless charity, Stonepillow, based in Chichester.

Racheal added: “We’re a charity that offers daily support for the elderly in our community. We are so thankful to anyone that helps to brighten the lives of our residents.”

The priory has been based in Arundel since 1983.