Sure Start appeal is huge success
Hundreds of children benefit from toy appeal
HUNDREDS of children were left with happy memories of Christmas 2016 thanks to the generosity of people across Hinckley and Bosworth.
Organisers of the annual Christmas Appeal say almost 300 youngsters received presents within 129 families.
A further 65 households benefited from food hampers through Hinckley Area Foodbank to ensure the festive season was made a little brighter.
Food parcels were delivered by Work-Link and families collected toy parcels in the week leading up to Christmas.
Workers from Sure Start packed up presents and went through referrals during November and December so every family referred by professionals received gifts in time for Christmas Day.
Jennie Wroe, Sure Start children’s centre coordinator said they were grateful to everyone involved, adding: ‘It was our sixth year coordinating the Christmas Appeal and once again we have been blown away by the kindness of local people and the support of local businesses, churches, supermarkets, schools, community centres and settings.
“It’s a massive undertaking but very much a group effort and we simply could not manage without the hard work of those from WorkLink, the Salvation Army and Hinckley Area Foodbank, supported by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and The Hinckley Times.”
The appeal is coordinated within the children’s centre programme by Margaret Ray, a family outreach worker and by Joanne Purcell and Joanna Elleman, who are centre support assistants. Volunteers help by collecting toys from the collection points at regular intervals.
Margaret said: “I would like to mention the following for all their help and generosity this year - Hinckley Fire Station, George Ward Charitable Trust, Triumph and supermarkets Asda, Morrisons and Tesco. Churches in Earl Shilton, Burbage, Stoke Golding and Barwell held services for us and gave us wonderful donations. A special thanks to all of the individuals who also gave to our appeal and supported us once again.”