Cracker Appeal receives £6,500 donation

Groups across Maidenhead can begin to look forward to some memorable Christmas parties and day trips after a £6,500 donation to the Advertiser's Cracker Appeal.

The money, which has been given by the Louis Baylis (Maidenhead Advertiser) Charitable Trust, now means the total of money raised so far is £7,200.

Trustee Peter Sands said they were happy to support the appeal.

"We support it every year and we know that it is so valuable at Christmas time and it does a lot of good for lots of people," he added.

The Magnet Leisure Centre has also been playing its part by coming up with its own 10:10 fitness challenge.

In recent weeks, the Holmanleaze fitness centre has been inviting celebrities to take on the challenge which includes spending 10 minutes running and 10 minutes cycling.

Gina MacGregor, who met the Queen and Prince Philip when she carried the Olympic torch through Windsor Castle in July, pulled on her running shoes on Friday.

"It was good fun and it was for a good cause so that was brilliant," said Gina, also founder of the Maidenhead and District Netball League.

Chairman and chief executive of Baylis Media Ltd, Jeremy Spooner, is taking part in the challenge today.