Huge thanks after amazing response to appeal

Dukinfield and Stalybridge Rotary are thanking everyone this week who has donated to their Christmas children's toy appeal after an 'amazing' response.

The Rotary Club launched a project to collect toys for local children who wouldn’t otherwise receive presents on Christmas Day due to their family circumstances.

But the club says thanks to everyone’s generosity they will now be able to provide toys, books and more for youngsters.  

Club President Judi Kelly explained: “We first became aware of how great the need is this year when one of our members, Cllr Jan Jackson, was contacted by a local school.  

“Over recent years the school had supported the families of a few of their pupils where financial circumstances meant that they could not afford Christmas gifts.

“The school had bought some small stocking-filler gifts to provide to these families so the children would not go without.  

“However, one of the impacts of Covid-19 has been that the number of families experiencing financial hardship has increased significantly."

She went on: “The school simply hadn’t the resources to support the numbers of children who needed gifts, so they contacted Cllr Jackson to see if there was any further help available.   

“Jan brought this situation to the attention of our club and immediately it was a cause that we unanimously wanted to support,” added Judi.  

“Members rallied round collecting unwanted toys from friends and family, purchasing toys to donate, and leafleting locally to increase the numbers of donated toys and gifts to distribute.  

“We’ve had to work to a very tight timescale with the Christmas school holidays and I’m delighted to say that we’re already well on our way towards collecting sufficient toys and gifts to support all the local schools who have asked for our help. 

“We would like to thank everyone who has donated to this project which will bring some much-needed Christmas cheer to hard pressed local families.”