A PAIR of children’s charities will share a late Christmas present of £1,200 thanks to generous townsfolk and the Sid Valley and Sidmouth Rotary Clubs.

The magnificent contribution total was made possible by the people of Sidmouth during the annual Tree of Goodwill collection which took place during the festive season.

The cash will be shared between Children’s Hospice South West and the Bramble Ward at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

“Great generosity despite the weather,” was how Alec Dunn and Barry Chapman, the respective Presidents of Sid Valley and Sidmouth Rotary Clubs, described the sterling sum.

Although the Tree of Goodwill collection was planned for four days, the extreme elements meant that one was a complete washout.

Many of the Rotarians dressed up for the event in Market Place. Dr John Rees (pictured) could be seen cunningly disguised as a Harley Davidson-riding Father Christmas.

Both Rotary clubs thanked Ian Barlow, owner Sidmouth Garden Centre, for providing a Christmas tree, and Bill Lankester, of Living with Cancer, for the loan of a sound system.