On the theme of offices...this just arrived in my inbox:

Dear all

Every year ***** Primary School on the ***** Road (where we run our Reading Partners Scheme) write to us to ask to see if any members of staff would be generous enough to donate a present for their looked-after children (those in care or needing the assistance of Social Services). Nearly every year for the last 10 years kind members of staff have bought in a present and wrapped it themselves so that it can be delivered to the school for distribution on the last day of term.

This year the school is looking at presents for 25 children (15 presents for 5-7 year olds and 10 presents for 8-10 year olds). They haven't stated number of boys/girls so if you are able to offer a present please state on it if it's for a boy or girl. The deadline for presents is 11 am this Wed, 19th Dec.

If you can help by donating a wrapped present please email Jane (copying in myself), who is very kindly assisting me in this. Presents need to be dropped off at her desk tomorrow/Wed morning in order for us to deliver them for the end of the term this Wed lunchtime.

Kind regards

Maria

Call me a sceptic but I think Maria's forgotten to do her Christmas shopping.

Does your big, souless, company do anything similarly sickly to improve its moral standing?