New Malden sends truck load of goods to Italy (From Surrey Comet)

New Malden sends truck load of goods to Italy

1:40pm Friday 18th December 2009

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New Malden’s community has been praised for their enormous generosity in helping raise thousands of pounds for earthquake victims in Italy.

Malcolm and Felicity Surridge, both parishioners of St Joseph’s Church, New Malden, have collected more than £9,000 in cash and equipment for the village of San Raniero, in L’Aquila, which was devastated by an earthquake in April.

After loading up a haulage truck on Monday morning with a plethora of festive and educational goodies, the Surbiton couple expressed their delight with the fundraising effort.

Mrs Surridge said: “We hope that this will give the people of L’Aquila hope for the future and will make a real difference to their Christmas.

“The most important thing is that they know another community cares for them, and the generosity of the people of New Malden has been amazing.”

The Surridges will then travel to San Raniero next week to personally hand out the gifts on Christmas Day, where they will dress up as Santa Claus and his wife.

Following last month’s visit to New Malden of Father Gerald Abuachi from San Raniero, St Joseph’s Church is now twinned with the L’Aquila parish, which will mean future exchange trips and greater co-operative efforts between them.

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