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40 Phonebox Magazine | January 2026Fundraising for St Laud%u2019s SheringtonLight a Light for a Loved One campaign raises funds for local church. A fund raising scheme that off ered villagers the chance to sponsor a light on a Christmas tree in memory of a loved one, raised more than %u00a3850.On the night of the switch on in Sherington, villagers served mulled cider and hotdogs while listening to the Sherington Folk Band. Despite some rain more than 50 people turned out and all were delighted with the pretty tree light up in memory of their loved ones.Each year around %u00a328,000 needs to be raised, just to keep open and running as a parish church. Apart from regular giving and service collections, a wide range of events are organised in an attempt to meet this challenge. Jumble sales, coff ee mornings every month, monthly breakfasts, a Christmas Bazaar, Strawberry Teas, fashion show, quiz and an Advent lottery have helped to add to the necessary funds.To keep up to date with the events held in Sherington church you can follow on instagram @ stlaudschurchSanta and his elves help raise funds for local schoolFestive Magic Comes to SheringtonSherington%u2019s streets were fi lled with festive cheer on Sunday 14th December as Santa and his elves made their way around the village, delighting children and adults alike. Accompanied by music, twinkling lights and plenty of seasonal wonderment, the visit brought the Christmas spirit directly to doorsteps throughout the community.Santa (Ian Wass), was ably supported by his cheerful elves Sharron, Maxine and Sarah, who helped spread smiles and seasonal joy along the route. Giles expertly took on the role of driver, ensuring Santa%u2019s safe passage around the village, while Adrian and Jo formed the invaluable support team behind the scenes, helping the event run smoothly.Every child who came out to meet Santa received a present, adding an extra touch of magic to the evening and making it a memorable experience for local families.This year marked the fourth consecutive year the event has taken place, and once again the generosity of Sherington residents shone through. Donations were collected via buckets and a convenient QR code, raising an impressive total of %u00a3419.44. All funds raised will be donated to Sherington CE School (www.sheringtonceschool.co.uk).A huge thank you goes to everyone involved in organising and supporting the event, and to all those who donated. It was another wonderful example of Sherington%u2019s strong community spirit and a heart-warming start to the festive season.