Launch of Give a Gift Appeal at Voice office. NAMES: Rachel Mayfield, Tom Tamberlin, Harry Drury

Give a gift and bring a smile this Christmas

With Christmas shopping season now in full swing we’re asking you to spare a thought and a few pounds to pick up an extra gift for a deserving local child.

We’ve teamed up again with We’ll Let Your House director Harry Drury on the Give A Gift Campaign.

We’re asking readers to buy one extra present suitable for a child aged from one year up to 14 years and drop it off at one of the collection points.

Rachel Mayfield, editor at The Spalding and South Holland Voice, said: “Our readers were so generous last year, we’re delighted to be involved again.

“This appeal really does make a massive difference to local families who would otherwise struggle to get their child a gift. It’s heart warming to think we can all play a part in changing that.”

The toys will be passed on to families of children who would otherwise receive few or no Christmas presents.

Nominations will come from local family support organisations, but we’re also keen to hear about other families who may be in need. Write (in confidence) to apply for a donation to Give A Gift Campaign, Spalding Voice, 14-16 Winsover Road, Spalding, PE11 1EJ or email s.thomas@thomas-campbell.co.uk. Please include contact details.

Harry, who founded the campaign in 2011, said: “I am delighted to be launching this year’s Give a Gift Campaign for our sixth year running.

“This year, the campaign welcomes new partners, Ella’s Project incorporating Donate a Cuddle, Baytree Winter Wonderland and Karsten UK as well as our long standing partners, The Spalding and South Holland Voice, We’ll Let Your House, Sainsbury’s, Beales Department Store and South Holland District Council.

“We have also welcomed Thomas Campbell Estate Agents and Boston Borough Council this year.

“Sadly, there is an unbelievable number of children in our district who are affected by poverty and the campaign gives the public a chance to buy a toy or gift for a child in their local area and we make sure it reaches them ready for Christmas morning.

“As a father, I understand the importance in today’s society of having a gift for your child, or a child you care for at Christmas time. Christmas is not all about presents, but the fact is, that it is tradition and expected.

“This can cause a lot of stress for parents on top of financial burdens at this time of year. This is why this campaign is so important and helps families who have fallen on tough times. We do not judge, we just help everyone we can.”

The presents must be new but not wrapped as they must be assessed for suitability. We cannot accept secondhand items, cuddly toys without a CE label, cosmetics, make-up, bath products or perishables.

Collections are welcome up to and including Friday, December 15, at:

  • Our reception in Winsover Road, Spalding
  •  We’ll Let Your House, Broad Street, Spalding
  • Sainsbury’s, Spalding
  • Beales Department Store, Market Place, Spalding
  • South Holland District Council, Priory Road, Spalding
  • Baytree Nurseries Winter Wonderland, Weston
  • Boston Borough Council
  • Thomas Campbell Estate Agents, Market Place, Boston.

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