ONE hundred people gave up their homes for a cold and wet night on the street and raised an incredible £26,226.11 for a charity helping the homeless and needy.

Organised by Charles Thompson's Mission in Birkenhead, the sleep out took place on November 30.

People laid out their sleeping bags in the carpark of its premises in Hemingford Street in exchange for donations to the charity.

They were joined by Birkenhead boxer Sean 'Masher' Dodd.

Praising the public's generosity. Amy Stanley, a volunteer and fundraiser at the mission told the Globe: "This is a phenomenal amount and will help to make a huge difference to those in need within our community.

"The response from the community has been incredible this year and we are overwhelmed with the support we receive each year.

"In addition, thanks to donations we have been able to provide over 300 sacks of toys for children for Christmas, a huge amount of food hampers and we opened our doors on Christmas Day, feeding around 60 people.

"We couldn't do what we do without the community and thanks to their generosity, we can continue to help more people who need it.

"If people would like to donate to support us, we have a just giving page http://www.justgiving.com/thompsonsmissionsleepout2018?utm_id=26

All donations are massively appreciated and make a huge difference."

First Friday

FIRST Friday ladies' group will host a presentation entitled An evening in St Petersburg with Sheila when it meets later this week.

The event will take place at Marlowe Road United Reformed Church in Wallasey on Friday at 7.30pm.

The event is free, but donations are welcome.

Book sale

GREASBY Library volunteers are holding a book sale in the library on Tuesday from 10am to midday.

Funds raised will be used to benefit the library.

Garden Society

ANTHONY Annakin-Smith will be Hoylake & District Gardening Society's guest when it meets later this month.

He will give an illustrated talk on The Making of the Wirral Landscape during the meeting on Thursday, January 17 at St Michael & All Angels Church Centre, Newton.

It starts at 7.30pm.

Admission is £2 which includes tea/coffee.

Morris Ladies 

MOCKBEGGAR Morris Ladies Dance Side are moving to a new venue.

As from next Thursday, January 10, they will meet for practise every week at Thornton Hough Village Hall, Manor Road, from 8-10pm. New dancers or musicians welcome. Details from Charlotte on 0151 652 3274 or Susanne 07870115362

New Brighton Townswomen

NEW Brighton Townswomen's Guild will meet next Thursday, January 10.

Taking place at Emmanuel Church Hall in Seabank Road, Wallasey, the session starts at 1.45pm.

There will be a presentation from Guide Dogs UK on the training of guide dogs, tea and cake, raffles and friendly conversation. All welcome

Meetings take place on the second Thursday of each month, except August.

Acting classes

ACTING classes for adults take place at Hoylake Community Centre on Thursday evenings from 7-9pm.

Beginners and those with experience are welcome. Full details can be found at www.adultactingclasses.co.uk or contact Martin on 07788 723570 or email martin@adultactingclasses.co.uk

Photography

NEW photography courses will start at Bebington Civic Centre next Wednesday, January 9.

Details from wirral3ls.co.uk or 645 0066.

Enter festival

THE Festival of Music, Speech and Drama is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and Globe readers are urged to send in applications for both festival weekends.

The speech and drama element will take place on March 15 and 16.

The music element will be held on March 22 and 23.

Entries close on January 31.

More details from www.wirralfestival.co.uk or Edwards.caitlin237@gmail.com

Languages

NEW language classes will be held at Hoylake Parade Community Centre from later this month.

Starting on Monday, January 22 they will cover French, Spanish, German, Italian and Greek. Enrolment is on Wednesday, January 17 from 10am-12pm or 6pm-7.30pm.

Details, 200 2117.

Join the band

THE newly-formed Jan Modelski Big Band is looking for like-minded people to join.

The swing/jazz band gets together every Monday night at St Anne’s Parish Centre, Rock Ferry from 7.30pm-10pm.

For more details, text 07783938696.

Reunion

CALLING all former pupils of Wirral Grammar Boys School, year group 1960-1965 ... a reunion is planned for this year.

Details from 645-7322 or drt2402@aol.com.

Annual dinner

WIRRAL Grammar School Old Girls' Association's annual dinner will be held a week on Friday, January 11.

Taking place at Thornton Hall Hotel, Thornton Hough it starts at 7.30pm.

For full details and a booking form, email wgsoga@hotmail.co.uk

Little kicks

SHAFTESBURY Youth Club in Prenton is looking for players to join its 'Little Kicks' football group for 3-6 year olds.

It runs every Saturday from 9-10am and Wednesday from 5-6pm.

Full details are from Shaftesbury Youth Club chair Barry Eaton by email: barrybeb@aol.com

Get fit

TRANMERE Circuit Class takes place every Thursday from 9.30am until 10.30am at The Lodge in St Catherine's Health Centre, Church Road, Tranmere.

To book a place, call 0151 647 3619 or Heather on 07925076914.

Lunch club

IRBY Lunch Club meets at Irby Methodist church every Friday.

Taking place at the venue in Mill Hill Road, the sessions start 1pm. Admission is £2.50.

Learn to cook

COOKERY sessions take place at Well On Wirral, Cherrytree Shopping Centre, Liscard, every Wednesday, running from 10am - midday.

Full details are from wellonwirral@outlook.com or 07414 206 029. Sessions free of charge.

To advertise your event on our noticeboard, email craig.manning@nqnw.co.uk or 649 4050