By Emma Palmer, Basildon Evening Echo, Friday 18th January 2008

A CHARITY is celebrating its best ever year, benefiting hundreds of under-privileged children.

Leaders of the Basildon Round Table have just finished totting up last year's fundraising total and have discovered their supporters have been more generous than ever.

Figures show the group, consisting of around eight male members aged from 18 to 45, raised a staggering £17,000 through organising a series of high profile events, including the annual firework extravaganza in Gloucester Park, Basildon, and the popular Santa Sleigh street collections through the district.

Nick Hooper, chairman of Basildon Round Table, said: "Last November's fireworks display was our best ever in terms of how many visitors came and how much we raised - which ended up being £13,000.

"Our recent Santa's sleigh event raked in £4,000 too and we also managed to ensure that 300 under-privileged children in the district had a great Christmas by giving them new presents."

Nick, who has been involved in the charity for 11 years, added: "The thing with Round Table is that every penny we raise goes back into helping local good causes, which is really important to people.

"It amazes me how much some people want to give. Every year when we do our sleigh event, little old ladies come out and give us tins full of coppers that they've been collecting for a whole year. It really makes their Christmas to give to us."

But Nick also stressed the group is also about socialising and having fun as well as working hard for local charities.

He said: "We have a lot of social outings - everything from a golf trip to Spain and a black tie ball to holding local barbecues and nights out at Bas Vegas.

"We are always on the lookout for new members and would urge anyone interested in joining us to come along to a meeting and see how we work."

Anyone who is interested should call Nick on 01277 622143.