It is said that the real point of the festive season is not so much in the receiving, as in the giving. It’s a tough lesson and one that it’s easy to lose sight of, particularly when there’s so many things we want. We tell our loved ones what we’d like to receive this year, or we leave circled catalogues in obvious places around the house.

But that’s not what Christmas time is about – we just lost sight of the fact because we live in such a consumer driven society. And because it’s so hard to remember, we want to draw attention to one company that really got it right this year.

You have no doubt heard of Gala Bingo. How can you not have?  It’s  the biggest land bingo chain in the UK, both through its online website presence and through its many clubs in around the country.

Like most big businesses, Gala Bingo has been hit hard this year by the stock market crash and the economic downturn that resulted. In order to keep the company viable they’ve had to downsize, and many of their traditional land-based bingo halls have had to close.

But that hasn’t stopped this company from remembering what the festive season is all about, because back in October when all the stores on the High Street were beginning to put tinsel in the windows and remind us to buy things, Gala Bingo was been involved in promotion called Bingo for Breakthrough – a drive to use its bingo facilities to raise funds for a charity called Breakthrough for Breast Cancer.

Its name is self explanatory – this charity raises funds for research into the treatment and eradication of breast cancer. Well, this year Gala Bingo – and the people who play there – did their part, because when the final totals came in, Gala Bingo had raised an astonishing £212,000 for this worthwhile cause!

“Bingo for Breakthrough has once again been a fantastic success,” said Simon Longbottom, Gala Bingo’s MD. “We’re delighted to have been involved in the campaign this year and a make difference to such a worthwhile charity, thanks to the tremendous support of all our customers and staff. They really enjoy giving something back to such a good cause and as you would expect from our bingo players, had a lot of fun raising the money!”

I’m sure everyone here at London Bingo joins me in congratulating Gala Bingo on such a monumental achievement – you have really made a difference. Thank you!