Wigan Youth Zone hails Christmas mission a success

The coronavirus pandemic caused Wigan Youth Zone to cancel all of its usual in-person Christmas events which support vulnerable families.

Instead the charity launched Mission Christmas to reinvent how it helps people in need at this time of year.

The youth zone brought the magic of Christmas to families' front doors to replace the large meal, entertainment and visit to Santa's grotto they would normally have been able to enjoy.

Youth workers volunteered to be Santa's Little Helpers and took a decorated truck full of presents, food hampers and a full festive dinner to families who wouldn't usually be able to celebrate.

One family said: "This has been such a tough year, I thought we was going to have to cancel Christmas. I couldn’t thank those involved enough, I was in tears when I saw the kids see all

of their presents.”

The youth zone then capped off a weekend full of festive fun with the Big Night In virtual fund-raiser.

The charity said this was a massive success, bringing in more than £10,000.

The event celebrated everything Wigan Youth Zone offers, including entertainment from talented young members and celebrity messages from Wigan Warriors legend Liam Farrell and former Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez.

Anthony Ashworth-Steen, Wigan Youth Zone’s executive director, said: “I am blown away by the support we have received to help over 300 people. Once again the community of Wigan and Leigh has rallied together to support the young people and families most in need and I would like to thank everyone who supported for making this a reality.

"Through our collective efforts we have been able to support more people than ever before, demonstrating the need and the importance of the Mission Christmas campaign.

"As we look forward to 2021 we will continue to do everything we can to support the young people of Wigan and Leigh."

The charity relies heavily on the generous support of the Wigan and Leigh community and is still accepting donations at www.justgiving.com/wiganboysandgirlsclub

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