Wishes in 2011 come true for thecentre:mk chosen charities

The walk through wishing well at thecentre:mk Christmas Storyland adventure received £9,041.95 in donations over Christmas 2010. Following a record number of applications from 45 charities, thecentre:mk selected two local beneficiaries to receive the generous donations from families visiting thecentre:mk over Christmas, the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust and the Milton Keynes & North Bucks RSPCA.

Since 1985, the wishing pool at thecentre:mk has been a focal point of the annual Christmas show, raising over £340,000 benefiting both local charity organisations and community groups. For 2010, the wishing pool became more interactive than ever allowing people to walk within the well, as parents and children made their wish they could watch their loose change travel down the pipes, to collect in the pool at the bottom.

With the wishing pool donating such a generous amount this year, these two local charities will each receive a substantial amount to move forwards with their plans for 2011. The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust is incredibly pleased with the amount they have received and have prioritised items that the Trust is desperate for, in order to improve their resident’s interaction. A profiling bed, rise and recline chair and a physiotherapist exercise bike, all of which will help to mobilise and inspire their patients.

The Milton Keynes and North Bucks RSPCA is planning to put the money toward purchasing a new RSPCA ambulance van which will help to support the local community and animals within the Milton Keynes area. With the ambulance costing just over £8,500, the charity will have continued support for thecentre:mk to raise the full amount in order to purchase the animal ambulance.

Jean Kelly from the Milton Keynes and North Bucks RSPCA comments, “We are delighted with the generous contribution we have received from thecentre:mk and their shoppers as a result of the wishing pool fund. We would like to thank everyone who contributed; when we are able to purchase the ambulance it will make such a great difference to us serving the city of Milton Keynes.”

The beneficiary for the year of 2009 the Ark House charity, received continued support from thecentre:mk throughout 2010, with thecentre:mk management team taking part in a Ramshackle Rally to Valencia, to raise even more money for the cause. In 2011, thecentre:mk management will continue to raise awareness for and support the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust and the Milton Keynes & North Bucks RSPCA, with ongoing fundraising activity.

To follow thecentre:mk’s on-going support of the chosen beneficiaries visit www.thecentremk.com for updates.