When the Rotary Club of Edmonton voted to support KidsOut by funding twenty Christmas toy boxes, Rotarian and publican Richard Reeve pledged to match that amount via a collection in his pub, the Little Green Dragon in Winchmore Hill. But Richard hadn’t bargained on his pub being forced to close for November due to the second national lockdown.

Not wanting to be beaten, Richard hastily organised an online “Singers’ Night” via Zoom where local musicians and customers could either perform a song or just tune in to enjoy the music. KidsOut provided Richard with a customised donations page and Richard promoted this throughout the event. As a result, the event exceeded Richard’s target and raised a total of £570 for Kids Out!

Richard said “I am delighted that we were still able to raise the funds despite being in lockdown. We are blessed to have such a great bunch of regulars and musicians and I thank them all for their generosity. The event also helped our regulars to maintain contact with each other and feel less isolated during lockdown.”

The KidsOut team would like to say a big thank you to Richard, the night’s performers, and guests who all helped in raising this fantastic amount of money. All the funds will go towards helping to provide brand-new toys to children who have survived domestic violence and are living in refuge.

If you would like to donate a toy for a child in refuge this Christmas, you can do so through KidsOut’s online Giving Tree shop at www.kidsout.org.uk/givingtree