Family’s Rudolf and co help homeless
AKINDHEARTED and creative family have launched a Christmas campaign to help the homeless.
The Unwin family, which includes mum, Jilly, dad, Dale, and their children Olivia, 13, and Harrison, 10, have been busy chopping and carving little wooden reindeer to sell.
They started out by making 20, but the reindeer proved so popular the orders came pouring in and they made another 30.
The family, who live on Buxton Old Road, have made almost £600 which will be spent buying gloves, hats, waterproofs and coats for the homeless in Macclesfield and Manchester. They are also planning to give a donation to Shelter, the homeless charity.
Dale, 41, a social worker, said: “We decided earlier in the year that, as a family, we wanted to do something different this Christmas and came up with an idea of making reindeers out of wood, selling them and using the proceeds to help homeless people.
“In my work I have seen a notable increase in homelessness in Manchester and now in Macclesfield. In a country with our wealth it is completely unnecessary and it really troubles me.”
The mission has been driven along by Harrison, who attends Rainow primary school.
Dale said: “I am notoriously hopeless at DIY but luckily Harrison is very creative. We have all been involved but he has been the engine. I’ve been doing the legs, Olivia has been in charge of the fixing the noses and treasurer, and Jilly, the antlers, as well as quality control manager.
“It has been a really good effort after school and work, and at weekends.”
The Unwin production line initially set out to create 20 reindeer, selling them to neighbours, Harrison’s friends at primary school and Dale’s work colleagues, but word got around.
Dale said: “We printed some flyers and put them round the neighbourhood selling small reindeers for £9, medium for £15 and large ones for £20.
“The orders kept coming in and we had to make another batch of 30. It really took off. It was unbelievable.
“I can’t believe we’ve raised so much money from banging a bit of wood into shape.”
The family now plan to speak to local shops and retailers about getting a good deal of the supplies they want to distribute to the homeless before Christmas.