MCCARTHY and Stone, the house builder behind The Boathouse in Bitterne Park and Hampton Place in Shirley Retirement Living developments, has donated £250 to the Christmas Complete appeal by Southampton based charity, SCRATCH.

It provides toys and gifts to disadvantaged children and young people who otherwise may not receive presents on Christmas Day. The donation by McCarthy & Stone will help SCRATCH to purchase much-needed presents, as well as assist with the charity’s operating costs.

Annette Davis, Senior Manager at SCRATCH, said: "We are dedicated to helping to relieve the effects of poverty for families and individuals in Southampton and its surrounding area. Our Christmas Complete appeal is just one of the ways in which we hope to be able to spread some joy to those in need.

“However, in order for us to achieve this, we are dependent on the support of others, which is why we are absolutely thrilled to have received £250 from McCarthy & Stone. The money will go a long way towards helping our appeal.”

Geoff Bates, Head of Marketing for McCarthy and Stone South, added: “An important part of what we do here at McCarthy and Stone is support initiatives in the towns and communities in which we build to help create a lasting, positive legacy."