• Swindon & Wiltshire Community champions
• Friday January 5 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Protective packaging firm GWP teams up with Round Table to spread Christmas cheer

Protective packaging manufacturer GWP helped to spread Christmas cheer by donating hundreds of boxes to Cirencester Round Table to help them distribute food parcels to disadvantaged families.

Cricklade-based GWP donated more than 200 boxes for the group to pack with festive food, which they then delivered around Cirencester on December 23.

The initiative is one of many that the group runs to support the local community and charities.

Cirencester & District Round Table treasurer, James Macpherson, who organised the initiative alongside fellow members Chris Hill and Josh Toomer said: “We recognise there are a lot of individuals who have been impacted by rising prices and other challenges across the last twelve months and wanted to do something tangible to support them.

“We are extremely grateful to all the organisations who supported us, particularly GWP for donating the boxes, but also The Salvation Army, without which we could not have identified the individuals who could best benefit from our support.”

Cirencester Round Table is a local group of men between 18 and 45, who meet regularly to have fun, socialise, take part in unusual activities and raise funds for charity. There are 300 “Tables” throughout the UK, who raise more than £4 million a year and volunteer over 160,000 hours.

David Mason, sales director at GWP, commented: “When Cirencester Round Table approached us, we were more than happy to help. The expectations around Christmas can amplify financial worries, but the initiative the guys undertook will have made a significant difference to many people in the local area”.

Besides supplying boxes to the Cirencester Round Table, GWP has helped several charities and groups this Christmas. The protective packaging manufacturer, part of Macfarlane Packaging, provided hundreds of boxes to the Bristol-based Marmalade Trust charity.

“The charity used the donated packs as hampers, filling them with treats and giving them to people experiencing loneliness. GWP has also sponsored the Cricklade band.

“Staff raised funds by participating in the national Christmas Jumper Day, and they have provided extensive support to Swindon Foodbank over many years.”