It seems a very long time ago now since the Variety Club, in a drastic policy change, cast adrift its provincial networks including Bristol.

The Bristol Children's Charity was born to help disadvantaged children, under 16, in our city (although this has now been raised to 18). Our first venture was to collect toys at Christmas for half a dozen local children’s homes.

That brought us in touch with the Lord Mayor of the day – a link with the city’s first citizen we retain and cherish. It made the television news, and, with a sell-out Christmas lunch, we were launched.

In the early 70’s the premature baby unit at Southmead Hospital was desperately seeking a special piece of equipment to give a young born the chance of life, for which we raised the £10,000 needed. Since then we have helped thousands of youngsters, sometimes with equipment, sometimes with the end money to round off someone else’s fundraising.

From the outset we agreed every penny raised would go to the charity and that the committee would meet all the other running costs out of their own pockets. Although modified over the years as we grew, that remains a firm point of principle.

We are unpaid volunteers doing our best for unfortunate children and that will never change. It’s one very good reason why the local business community has got behind us and why the late Duchess of Beaufort and Terry Waite CBE have been pleased to become our Patrons.