Hundreds of gifts donated by kind residents
KIND-HEARTED residents, schools, organisations and businesses have donated hundreds of Christmas presents for disadvantaged people in Bridgend so they won’t go without during the festive period.
This year, more than 300 underprivileged children received presents to open on Christmas Day thanks to Brynteg Comprehensive School, Bridge FM, Hafod Y Wennol, plus residents and businesses.
And they weren’t the only generous people from around Bridgend to give to those in need, with other kind initiatives including a group consisting of Bridgend College, Bookers Wholesale Bridgend, Bridge FM, Bridgend Disabled Veterans Random Act of Kindness Group and the community helping supported families.
Elsewhere, an online group of mums from around the area came to- gether to help children caught up in a life of domestic abuse.
As part of their annual Santa Appeal, Brynteg Comprehensive School raised an impressive £4,757.32 by organising an array of activities, such as selling sweets and sponsored walks.
The pupils bought pre- sents for 160 children and young people across the county borough, as well as donating £500 to domestic violence charity, Refuge.
Ryan Davies, headteacher of Brynteg, said he was overwhelmed with the efforts of the school children, adding: “This is a great effort from the whole of the school and I am very proud of all my pupils who raised a phenomenal amount of mon- ey and were able to buy so many gifts - the lorry was jam-packed!
“I hope there will be a lot of happy children across the county borough this Christmas. Well done to everyone at Brynteg School.”
Staff at Hafod y Wennol in the Vale of Glamorgan, an assessment and treatment unit for adults with learning disabilities, got their friends and family to donate presents for children of all ages, meaning more than 70 children and young people receive a Christmas gift bag.
Once again, Bridge FM’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal received a “phenomenal” number of donated presents – 100 of which were dropped off to Bridgend council’s safeguarding team to allocate to children in need.
Cabinet member for social services and early help, Councillor Phil White, said: “For many of us, Christmas is a time for celebration but there are some children who have very little to cheer about and who may not receive a single present without the generosity of local people.
“Every child deserves to have a special Christmas, so I’m absolutely delighted and overwhelmed that so many presents have been donated for disadvantaged children and teenagers in Bridgend. These gifts are truly going to make a huge difference so thank you to everyone who has taken part and donated, particularly Bridge FM, Brynteg Comprehensive School and Hafod y Wennol.”
Elsewhere, 17 supported families – including 42 children – had a happy Christmas thanks to the generosity of students and staff of Bridgend College and its charitable partners.
The families are all supported by MC Family Support, which works to prevent poverty in Bridgend by helping reduce families and individuals stress that could lead to poverty.
Manager Lesley Evatt said: “We were amazed by all the donations that we had, Bridgend College had two big donation boxes of Christmas food and treats, Bookers Wholesale Bridgend donated fresh chickens and potatoes to each of the families, Bridge FM donated toys to all the children, Bridgend Disabled Veterans Random Act of Kindness Group donated a vast amount of biscuits and toys and we had staff from the local council and MC Centre Bridgend customers donating bags full of toys and toiletries for all the families. We thank them all so much for blessing each of the 42 children with four toys each and a big box filled with food and toiletries and pressies for the parents, too.”
Amanda Kirk, director of Mulligan Community, said: “We have had so many donations that we’ve also been able to give families in the community food boxes and toys too and masses of biscuits to Foodbank Bridgend also, we will help families that are in crisis no matter their postcode or situation, our aim is to reduce families stresses particularly at Christmas.”
Other festive do-gooders included the Bridgend Netmums, who collected gifts before teaming up with local police community support officers, wanting to donate presents to families who have been displaced and affected by domestic abuse at Christmas.
The gifts were handed over to the local Calan DVS support group and dispatched to families across the borough ahead of the big day.
PCSO Craig Spanswick said: “Unfortunately, there are many families who are profoundly affected by domestic violence – many having been driven away from their homes this Christmas.
“It is a thoughtful gesture from this kind group of women which will go a long way to help families at this important time of year, and we were very happy to help.”