Dave Benson Phillips, star of this year’s Epsom Playhouse pantomime The Wizard of Oz, joined volunteers from The Sunnybank Trust, representatives from Epsom Hospital, The Ashley Centre Manager David Beddows and Chief Executive of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council Frances Rutter at the launch of The Giving Tree on Friday 5 December.

The Ashley Centre Manager David Beddows said: “We are collecting gifts for children aged 0-19 years who will be spending this Christmas in Epsom Hospital. Our kind shoppers’ donations will help brighten Christmas Day for these children and we would like to say a massive thank you in advance for your generosity. The Giving Tree will be situated outside House of Fraser from 5-23 December and all donations will be gratefully received.”

On Christmas Eve Father Christmas and The Ashley Centre staff will visit Casey Ward at Epsom Hospital and distribute the presents which will be wrapped and labelled by The Sunnybank Trust, an Epsom based charity working with adults and young people with learning disabilities. The Sunnybank Trust is running a gift wrapping service outside House of Fraser again this Christmas where people can have their presents expertly wrapped for a small donation to the charity.

For more information about The Ashley Centre and all the latest events, please “like us” on Facebook (facebook.com/theashleycentre), follow us on twitter (@ashley_centre) or visit our website (theashleycentre.co.uk) Based on information supplied by Mary Zoeller.