We have been sending out Christmas cards to our beneficiaries in the hope that they enjoy Christmas with their friends and families, and with our wish they have health and happiness in 2010.

It is good to hear from some of them and industry friends - some using EEIBA cards which is fantastic.

It is also an astounding and sad truth that some of the people we look after will be alone during the holidays, which makes the greetings from EEIBA more appreciated.

If the feedback from our governing body (Council) is anything to go by, which is usually the case, 2010 may see continuing hard times for us all.

This makes the letter and cheque from Carillion we have received so special. Their staff nominated EEIBA as one of 50 charities to benefit from a special series of events, marking their 10th anniversary as an independent public company. They said: “We hope this [donation] will go some way towards supporting the excellent work which is being done by EEIBA.”