Laura Shepherd, PSHE lead and Daisy Bland, assistant headteacher with the gifting tree.

Only a few days left to help appeal

Spalding Academy is the latest organisation to offer its support to our annual Give A Gift appeal.

Staff at the Spalding secondary have been buying for those children who otherwise would receive no or very few presents at Christmas.

Assistant headteacher Daisy Bland said: “We really wanted to support the appeal this year and decided a gifting tree would be the perfect way to do it.

“Since we launched the appeal on December 2, members of staff have been taking a tag from the tree which says what age and gender they should buy for, for example ‘boy aged 6’. They also take a letter which details the present requirements and limitations etc.

“Staff then bring their gift back in and all the gifts are collected in a box in reception.”

Spalding Academy’s sister school, The Giles Academy at Old Leake, has been doing the same and all the gifts will be collected and delivered to South Holland and Boston Child Services to distribute in time for Christmas.

Mrs Bland added: “We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile project which benefits so many children in the local area.

“It’s a pleasure to work with The Voice on this initiative and our staff have been very keen to get involved.

“We only launched the project with staff on December 2 and already over half of the tags have been taken.

“Staff have really embraced the Christmas spirit and we are all looking forward to bringing some joy to little faces on Christmas Day.”

Coun Harry Drury founded the appeal in 2011 and has since partnered with The Spalding and South Holland Voice.

The appeal helps ensure less fortunate children aged between three and 14 years old have a gift to open on December 25.

Coun Drury said: “This year, due to the pandemic, we can only accept new toys and as usual we are unable to accept cuddly toys, make-up, toiletries or food and perishable items due to health and safety. The presents can be of any value to suit your budget, we are however unable to
accept money,” he added.

The appeal closes on December 14 but there’s still time to donate.
Gifts can be donated unwrapped at The Voice’s Goodison Road office at the Lincs Gateway Business Park, Spalding, until 5pm on Monday, December 14.

The office is usually manned from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. Please do not leave gifts at the door if the office is closed.

You can also drop your gift off at Courtyard Footcare, Health and Beauty, 66 Swan Street, Spalding, 10am-3pm, Monday to Thursday.

Alternatively if you would like to order a present online, please arrange for it to be delivered to DGG Property Consultants, Welland Workspace, 10 Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, PE11 1QD.

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