Pictured are Coun Ingrid Sheard, Voice editor Rachel Mayfield and Coun Mark Le Sage, of Ella’s Project, with staff from Lincolnshire County Council’s Children’s Services. Turn to page six for more.

Voice readers make Christmas very merry

The generosity of the public will make Christmas a much nicer time for those in need as the Give a Gift campaign celebrates its most successful year to date.

Give a Gift has passed on donated toys to less
fortunate children for the last 12 years.
Coun Mark Le Sage, founder of Ella’s Project and partner in Give A Gift said: “I am overwhelmed and humbled once again by the huge number of toys donated by the generous community across South Holland.
“I would like to thank every single person who has donated.
“We have seen in The Voice newspaper over the past few weeks the incredible demonstration of generosity from businesses and members of the public, without whom there would be children in our local area who would have received little to nothing this Christmas.
“Special thanks must go to The Spalding and South Holland Voice and each of the campaign partners.
“Without each of these businesses and organisations being involved and helping with the collections and donations, we could not run this campaign.
“It is very much a collective team effort across the whole community.
“Thank you to everyone involved and a very Merry Christmas.”
Rachel Mayfield, editor of the Spalding and South Holland Voice added: “Thank you so much to everyone who donated this year.
“We understand things have been hard for many people with the current cost of living crisis and we’ve been blown away with the support we’ve received.
“Yet again the people of South Holland have shown how generous and kind hearted they are.
“As a mum myself, it breaks my heart to think that some children are facing a Christmas without gifts.
“The difference this appeal makes to so many children across the district is immeasurable and it’s lovely to think how happy they will be to receive something on Christmas Day.”

Thanks to all our collection points this year:
* Sainsbury’s, Holland Market, Spalding
* Nat West, Market Place, Spalding
* Spalding Travel
* Calthrops Solicitors, Hall Place, Spalding
* Courtyard Footcare, Health and Beauty, 66 Swan Street, Spalding
* Frydays Fish and Chip Shop, Crowland
* The Noshery, Springfields Garden Centre, Spalding
* Baytree Garden Centre at Weston (Santa’s Grotto booking office).

Alishia Burwin, of Spalding Travel, with some of the gifts collected there.

Coun Mark Le Sage (left) and Coun Ingrid Sheard (right) collect gifts from Paul Turnell, Leah Dujon and Alison Copping of Calthrops Solicitors.
Owner of Alfie’s, Ravi Ahluwalia, donated seven boxes of stocking fillers to the appeal.
Sonia Bird, Karen Pearson, Sandra Algar, Jo Croft, of Vine House Farm, who gave presents instead of doing Secret Santa.
Give a Gift at St Swinthuns, Bicker, Liz Benjamin
Give a Gift at The Noshery, Springfields with Dani Beresford

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