Residents make Sawbridgeworth’s Gifts Of Love scheme a huge success

Residents have really bought into a scheme to deliver Christmas presents to people in need in the Sawbridgeworth area.

Gifts of Love is a joint initiative launched at the start of November by Sawbridgeworth town projects manager Joanne Sargant, town councillor Greg Rattey and House of Harlequin boutique owner Berrin Lee.

The aim was for the town council to interact with traders and bring some festive joy to residents.

Jo told the Indie: “Traditionally we held a Christmas window competition for years, but it’s not possible for all of our businesses to take part if they have no shop window.”

So Jo’s concept was turned into “wonderful tags” by Berrin and her staff that businesses could distribute to their clients and customers with a suggestion for a gift that they bring back to the shop.

“We decided to print 100 tags and give each outlet five each,” said Jo.

“Once we distributed the tags, word soon spread among the traders and demands for tags was over-whelming.

“So far we’ve printed and distributed over 450. Already House of Harlequin have received more than 45 bags of gifts that will be distributed, along with all the other gifts from participating outlets.”

Jo added that the gifts would be distributed by the town council to the Hailey Centre, local schools, Guides, Scouts, the community pop-up shop at Sawbridgeworth Evangelical Congregational Church, the United Services charity, animal charities and many more local parishioners to “make Christmas special”.

Berrin Lee was full of praise for the response from the community, saying it was “absolutely amazing”.

She added: “Thank you so much for your support and getting behind the gift of love idea.”

Cllr Rattey praised his fellow organisers of the scheme during Monday’s meeting of the town council – and handed out gift tags to his colleagues.

“I want to thank my partners in crime, Jo and Berrin, who have worked incredibly hard,” he said.

The organisers are reminding people who have received a tag that their gifts must be returned by December 10.

The businesses and groups participating in the scheme are: Beau Belles, No 10, Paul Scott jeweller, Bell Pharmacy, Isabel Hospice, Village Pharmacy, The Churchgate Sausage Shop, All About You, The Gift Room, Rudhair, The Tuck Shop, Jensons, House of Harlequin Boutique, Toplines, Violets, The Hailey Centre, Elegance, Mackay Property Agents, Listed, Wiggies, HardSoft Computers, Mint Café, Clique and Your Perfect Travel.