WELL, we did ask you to help us put a party together - and you have made a right meal of it, literally!

Readers have responded magnificently to our Xmas Part&Parcel Appeal and now we can put on a delicious Christmas dinner for our guests at the town hall on Friday, December 16.

Not only can we supply a proper sit down roast turkey and stuffing feast complete with all the trimmings for 150 people but we have even got four pairs of hands to prepare and cook it and others to help serve it.

What a generous lot you are!

No sooner had our appeal for help hit the streets as our paper came out last Wednesday when the calls began flooding in.

Veteran chef Annette Lowery, 36, head cook of nursing homes, the Sutton Oaks, The Woodlands and The Rowans, belonging to Prestige Care Homes, couldn't wait to get in the kitchen.

And happy to feel the heat alongside her will be her number two Louise Hulme, 36, and kitchen helpers, students Thomas Heys and Sam Lloyd-Jones, both 21.

Annette, whose son Theo, four, suffers from cerebral palsy, is also a stalwart of our "Save Our Hospital" campaign, as is the company she works for.

She has a lot on her plate organising and preparing meals for her 110 patients - aged from 60 to 103 - who live in the three homes, but, she says: "One extra day doing what we do best won't make any difference to us and we would love to help."

She added: "We certainly know how to put on a superb spread, believe me."

Meanwhile out at the farm at Michael Kelsall Traditional home-reared Turkeys in Lower Withington, the boss offered to donate his exquisite meat to feed everyone at our scrumptious meal.

Mike, 36, who has been rearing "near enough" free range turkeys since 1991, is proud of the business he has built up and is delighted to share the products of his hard labour with our elderly, and sometimes lonely, members of the community.

"A happy turkey is a tasty turkey," said Mike, who feeds his rafter of birds on only the best blend of natural corns and applies expert husbandry.

He already has 3,000 birds prepared to sell to customers from his farm shop for Christmas - one, a 90-pounder, is currently fattening up for the annual "biggest turkey" competition at Chelford Market.

Mike, a former King's schoolboy, who grows potatoes in his 90-acre small-holding during the rest of the year, confessed: "I do everything for my turkeys, except sing to them."

What better to go with a nice slice of turkey but some crispy roast potatoes, brussel sprouts and carrots.

Yummy. And that's where Alan Reddy, owner of C&R Fruit and Veg, based in the indoor market, comes in.

He has donated ALL the vegetables for the meal and is happy to be part and parcel of our appeal. And his loyal staff Sharon Quinn and Carol Anthony will be ready to stack the sacks ready for delivery.

Alan said: "The people of Macclesfield are so generous. We are selling Teddy bears at a pound a time in aid of the Rainbow Family Trust at Francis House and they are going like hot cakes, such is the kindness of our customers. We are always happy to help because we like to feel we are a strong part of the community."

So that's the meal done and dusted... cooked and served.

But we are a greedy beast and we still need MORE!

This week we are appealing to our readers to volunteer to transport our VIPs - Very Important Partypeople - to the town hall for the party which is being held between noon and 4pm. They desperately need to be taken and picked up by responsible drivers.

Perhaps there is a taxi company in the town that can oblige?

We still need more money to finance the extras for the event; like the wine and beer, and we still don't have ANY decorations. What is a party without hats and decorations and crackers?

For those not taking part in the event we need you to bring in a parcel as we want to give a gift to each guest on their departure. This needs to be new, appropriate for an elderly person, like a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine, and wrapped up with a detachable label saying what it is. These can be left in our "bran tub" situated in the reception at our Chestergate office.

More important we need GUESTS! Don't be shy. If you are on your own, or simply need a bit of cheering up, or don't feel too good, but need some excellent company and fabulous entertainment then contact us. There are still lots of places left.

Either write to Xmas Part&Parcel Appeal, Macclesfield, Express, 37 Chestergate, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6AL or email subject "Part&Parcel" at macclesfieldexpress@gmwn.co.uk or call Rhona Marshall on 01625 618319 or get in touch with Karen Wilson at Macclesfield's Age Concern.

We would love to hear from you. Remember we should all get involved in this party in one way or another just to show we care.