Northfield's community-minded Kathryn gets big surprise for her efforts on Heart FM breakfast show - The Bromsgrove Standard

Northfield's community-minded Kathryn gets big surprise for her efforts on Heart FM breakfast show

Bromsgrove Editorial 8th Jan, 2021 Updated: 8th Jan, 2021   0

KIND-HEARTED Kathryn Groombridge was given a big surprise this morning when her community efforts were celebrated as part of ‘Feelgood Deeds’ on Heart FM’s Jason Theakston and Amanda Holden breakfast show.

Kathryn, from Northfield, usually runs the Small World playgroup at St David’s Church Hall in Shenley Green and, with her husband David, organises the annual festive fair, complete with Father Christmas.

But, because of the pandemic, the group has been unable to meet and it was not possible for the fair to take place.

Instead, in the summer, Kathryn set up a toy library to give toys to families so the children had different things to play with during the lockdowns and restrictions.




And Kathryn, with David’s help, also organised for Santa to be socially-distanced outside in a gazebo so all the children in the area could receive a gift from Father Christmas.


She was nominated on Heart by her friend Laura Gallant who had got her on the Zoom under the ruse of asking for advice on youth work.

Kathryn said: “I was so surprised – when I saw Amanda Holden on the screen, I thought I had done something horribly wrong with Zoom.”

During the conversation with Jamie and Amanda about she does in the community humble Kathryn said: “It is not just me – a lot of people work with me – my family, my friends and the church members.

“We just try to do what we can during these awful circumstances and we try to live our lives by ‘love thy neighbour’.

“I love what I do and I love my community.”

As part of the promotion with Experian, Heart will be giving Kathryn a £1,000 toy vouchers for the library or playgroup and, as she is a keen cook, some top of the range kitchen aid mixer and bakeware.

Heart will also organise a spa day for Kathryn and Laura so they can have a good catch-up when restrictions allow.

Kathryn said she was ‘completely overwhelmed’.

“When Amanda said we were getting a £1,000 toy voucher I was speechless and couldn’t believe it when she carried on.

” The kitchen equipment is fabulous, and I will be able to share it with Clare Gladstone who runs Small World with me.

“Bournville Village Trust (BVT) have already given us funding for the food bags we are giving out, but now we will be able to buy new toys when we finally reopen.

“And it will help towards the gifts for next year’s Santa’s grotto.”

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