A CHAUFFEUR to the Mayor of Derby has raised almost £1,000 for Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
The Derby Telegraph has launched a campaign to raise £30,000 to buy the centre a much-needed mini-bus.
And Duncan Hogg said he would do "everything he could" to make sure the centre got it. The 54-year-old of Main Street, Milton, said: "I'm so passionate about the cause. It has really touched my heart."
Mr Hogg was inspired to raise funds after visiting the centre – which provides holidays for disadvantaged children – with the Mayor, Councillor Lisa Higginbottom, on April 18.
He said: "I was the driver and took the Mayor there.
"We had a complete look around. We saw the little shop where the clothes are kept, the children's bedrooms, the fun room with the snooker table, and I was so touched by all of it."
Mr Hogg runs Milton Chauffeur Services and has been a driver for the Mayor for the past two years.
He also runs a fish and chip shop in Duffield as well as a martial arts club based at the Village Hall, in Milton.
He said: "It costs £330 a week to send a child to the centre. As soon as I got back I said I was going to put enough money in to send a child there. I also had a whip-round at the martial arts club and put a collection box at the fish and chip shop.
"We've raised £990 so far. The money is going towards whatever the centre needs it for, which I know is the mini-bus right now."
Mr Hogg's friend, Guy Levesley, a drama teacher at Repton School, donated £330 to the centre. Mr Levesley, who lives in Milton, said: "Duncan told me that he had been to Skegness that day to see the children's centre and he just said to me 'I'm going to pay for a child to go to this.
"I said if he was putting money into it then so would I. I love it when somebody is inspired by something they have experienced first-hand. It is a fantastic cause."
Mr Hogg also said that his wife, Sarah, 47, was going to Primark to buy £50 worth of clothes for the children at the centre.''
He said he would continue fund-raising for the charity through various events including a barbecue at the Swan Inn, Milton, on July 7.
"Even if people gave £1, it all helps," he said. "The more people know about it the better. They will realise just how worthwhile the centre is. "Without the new bus the children will not be able to get to the centre."
Bill Tomlinson, chairman of the trustees board which runs the centre, said: "It's absolutely fantastic how generous people can be.
"It is very moving to hear about some of the children's lives and why they deserve a holiday, which is why we work so hard to make sure the holidays continue."
HOW YOU CAN HELP £30,000 APPEALTHE Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre desperately needs help to raise £30,000 for a new minibus. If you want to donate, send a cheque or postal order made payable to Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre.
It should be marked on the reverse with Derby Telegraph Minibus Appeal and sent to Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre, Freepost, RSKX-EAJE-ETXZ, Belper, DE56 0QB.
Alternatively, they can be sent c/o Zena Hawley, Derby Telegraph, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby DE1 2BH or you can use a debit or credit card to make a donation at www. justgiving.com/DCHCDerby TelegraphAppeal. To find out more, call Derby 781821 or visit the website www.derbyshire childrensholiday centre.co.uk.
