CHRISTMAS came early for a special needs children’s club in Blaenau Ffestiniog this month.

The Derwen Group, a club set up for children and young adults in the Meirionnydd town, was grateful to receive a sackload of presents from the Tywyn branch of the Buffs.

The Buffs is a 200-year-old charitable order which collects each year for charities and supports local community groups.

Tom Davies, secretary of the Tywyn Buffs Lodge, explained how the donation came about.

“One of our newer brothers David Robinson asked in a meeting whether the lodge was able to help the Derwen Group,” he said.

“Nobody in the organisation knew who or what the Derwen Group was so we asked him to elaborate.

“David explained that the Derwen Group is an organisation run by Gwynedd Council which helps children with special needs- it’s also where his wife works.

“He said they were short of craft items such as paper, pencils and crayons etc.

“As we are in the business of helping those in need, we decided to donate some gifts and they were thrilled.

“They sent us a photo, their smiles say everything.”

Eirian Daniels, the leader of the Derwen Group, was delighted with the kind donation.

“On behalf of the children, staff and myself we would like to thank Tywyn Buffs for all their generosity and the opportunity to buy new craft items for the group.

“The children love their new equipment and will spend hours having fun and making different things.

“This is a rare opportunity for the group as we do not usually receive donations to buy new items for the children and I am sure they will benefit massively from the gifts.

“The children are not only having fun crafting but they are also learning to work independently and I think that this is very important to the children here in the group that have special needs.

“I can’t thank the Buffs enough.”