Kind-hearted residents, businesses and organisations in Newton-le-Willows and across St Helens borough once again came together to ensure some of the borough’s most disadvantaged families had something to smile about on Christmas Day.
And ahead of the festive period, thousands of items and pounds were donated to St Helens Borough Council’s annual gift appeal, which supports local children, young people and care leavers who might otherwise wake up without a present.
The appeal was first launched in 2010 and since then, tens of thousands of items, such as toys, books, clothes and food, have been donated. This Christmas, more than 700 gift sacks being put together – each one containing a number of items tailored to the recipients’ hobbies and interests.
As well as physical gift donations, family food vouchers have been provided through the council’s Household Support Fund – funded by the UK Government – and £6,500 in cash was donated to go towards the purchase of items for children, young people and care leavers, with bocboc coffee shop in Eccleston, Torus, Morrisons, Tesco, Specsavers, Swift Temps and The Coffee House among a long list of generous contributors.
A team of volunteers acted as Santa’s Elves, putting this year’s contributions into bundles and hampers ready to be distributed in time for Christmas Day – with St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Nova Charlton, among those to offer their time to help out.
Volunteers sort through a sea of toys that were donated to this year’s Christmas Gift Appeal, organised by St Helens Borough Council.
“The generosity of our borough never ceases to amaze me,” Cllr Charlton said.
“St Helens borough residents, businesses and organisations are renowned for coming together to support those less fortunate during difficult times and you’ve only got to look around here at what we’ve managed to amass for this year’s gift appeal to see that the level of commitment is as strong as ever.
“A special thanks to gift appeal organiser, Tracy Sexton, who does a marvellous job year after year; to all the volunteers who give up their time to ensure all the donations are packed and ready to go out on time – and of course to everyone who has contributed to the appeal in the true spirit of our St Helens Together ethos which encompasses our approach of delivering help and support where it is most needed in the borough.”
Following the sudden death of former St Helens Borough Council Chief Executive, Carole Hudson, in November 2019 – the gift appeal is now associated with Carole’s name as a legacy of her work with children and young people.
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