The wonderful ladies from the St Joseph’s Tuesday Club have raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years – so Asda Pudsey arranged an extra special Christmas theatre trip to say thank you.
The group is celebrating its 20th anniversary and were treated to a VIP visit to the West Yorkshire Playhouse to watch The Wizard of Oz.
They were picked up by coach, had refreshments and canapés on arrival, were escorted to the best seats in the house, and had ice cream during the interval.
Asda Pudsey community champion Sandra Deakins, who also helps out at the club, said:
“It was a brilliant night, and everyone really enjoyed themselves. They really appreciated what Asda had done for them – one lady said she felt like royalty!
“They are a lovely little group; so friendly and welcoming. What I like is that although it’s a Catholic church group it’s open to everyone.
“Arranging for them to have VIP tickets to the theatre was such a lovely gesture as they love going out on trips!”
Christine Rigby, who helps to run the club with Phyllis Dockerty, said:
“We wanted hold a celebration plus a church service to remember those members who are sadly not with us.
“We received a cheque for £300 from the Asda Foundation for the party, which was lovely, and then completely out of the blue we were told how they wanted to take us on a VIP trip to the theatre. We were absolutely flabbergasted – we couldn’t believe it.
“We have always been very generous and to show our appreciation for our trip to the theatre members held a collection for Farsley Foodbank.”
The group of around 40 ladies meets every week for tea, coffee, bingo and a chat – plus they also go on various trips and outings.
Over the years the group has raised more than £15,000 to various charities such as the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Wheatfields Hospice and groups within the parish.
Christine said:
“The group is mainly made of ladies who have lost their husbands, so the club is somewhere safe they can go to get together and not be on their own. A lot of the ladies are in their 80s, but we have one who is 97 too!”