Mencap members receive presents at Christmas party

MEMBERS of South Oxfordshire Mencap Society were visited by Father Christmas at its annual Christmas Party.

More than 40 members gathered at Harpsden Hall for an afternoon of music, food and gifts.

About 20 volunteers served sandwiches, cakes and refreshments to members who attended with family and carers.

Father Christmas attended with a sack full of presents for members.

Toby Heskins, who has been a Mencap member for several years, attended with his foster brother John Bowcock.

Mr Heskins performed his annual duty of playing “Santa’s elf” and assisting in delivering presents to members.

He said: “It was really good. I liked getting the gifts from Father Christmas.” Mr Bowcock said he has been coming to the Mencap Christmas party with Mr Heskins for the past four or five years.

He said: “I just love seeing everyone have fun. It’s a really positive group and a really positive feeling to the event. It’s something that Toby looks forward to from a long way away.”

Chair Marie Byrne said: “It’s good to bring our members together because they don’t all see each other at Meteor Club and some of the other activities. We are trying to spread out and we are having new events starting next year.

“We are going to start a trial period Saturday club in Woodcote village hall for six months. It will be the second and fourth Saturday morning of each month.

“We are looking for local volunteers to help cover the club.

“We need events like this to bring everybody together.”

The South Oxfordshire Mencap Society supports about 50 people with special needs living in Henley and its surrounding areas.

It is completely volunteer-run. As well as regular social activities like the weekly Meteor Club, it also holds several parties throughout the year including four discos, swimming sessions, summer picnics or barbecues, and trips to the pantomime and theatre.

The Christmas party is funded by the Henley Lions Club.