Dressed in blue T-shirts with the 'Circle of Love' logo on their left breast, 345 happy young faces between the ages of five and 12 lined up for Christmas gifts, danced to religious music, skipped, ran and took part in other activities as they showed appreciation for the fact that one of their own from the Cobbla community in North East Manchester, sacrificed hundreds of thousands of dollars to make them happy.

The brainchild behind the annual event, William Woodburn, said the treat for the children was referred to as a 'fest', where all children from in and around Cobbla are invited to have a good time between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to have a meal, play games and take home Christmas presents.

"They also took part in a talent show; and my family and I have been responsible for all that has been taking place here at my home over the past four years," stressed Woodburn.

He pointed out that when the event started four years ago, 315 children were treated and this year that number has risen.

Circle of Love'

"My parents lived here; my grand parents lived here for over a hundred years and we all decided that there was something that we wanted to do for the community and we started the annual treat which has been going for the past four years," said Woodburn who lives abroad with his family.

He pledged that the annual treat from his organisation which is referred to as 'Circle of Love', will continue forever, as it will be handed down to the next generations of family members when he and his other older relatives leave this world.

- George Henry