Honest John reached a fundraising milestone recently when the total money raised for good causes in Newton Aycliffe passed the £100,000 mark.
For 7 years John has supported countless town organisations, first he stood in all weathers rasing funds at the weekly market, benefitting young and old alike who needed help.
Recently John was able to increase his giving by moving to the Cubby operating six days a week taking in unwanted goods donated by Newtonians and selling them to raise funds.
Many people have expressed their gratitude to John for his good work, not least the Cubby who have also benefitted from John’s donations. He has helped to keep the premises open as a drop in for regulars to enjoy a cup of tea and a meal at very reasonable prices.
There is a worry however, now that the Cubby’s future is under threat from the County Council who own the land and are needing it for a commercial development that John’s good work may be affected.
John said; “Over the last year I have to recognise my very good friend and trustee of the charity, Valerie Wright, who has been invaluable with her time and help, especially with the paperwork which I hate doing. I prefer sitting around smoking my pipe and selling in between my weirdy, beardy mug appearing in the Newton News. That must be annoying to some, but it really helps the charity with publicity.
Thanks to Syd and Paul Howarth of Newton Press for their help and support over the years through Newton News and running our website.
Most of all my thanks to the generous folk of Newton Aycliffe for generating this amount of money through donations of unwanted goods”.
John sends his best wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
