Wigan community pulling together to help the vulnerable

To provide some much-needed cheer, people in Standish have come together to donate a range of gifts for the elderly and vulnerable, many of which have been shielding for a large part of the year.

The heartfelt initiative has seen Standish Under Fives Nursery, Standish Community High School and Standish councillor, Adam Marsh, come together to help those less fortunate.

Working in partnership, the nursery manager Katie Wallington, Mrs Murray from the high school and and Coun Marsh have collected gifts generously donated by the community to deliver to older people who may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas time.

These have been distributed to care homes and through key workers including from Wigan North SDF.

Gifts donated include chocolates, sweets and biscuits, bath and body items such as lip balm, body spray or lotion, and a creative journal for writing or drawing.

As well as this, craft items such as yarn or pattenrs used to crotchet or knit will be donated, although these will be unwrapped as they will be wrapped in clear cellophane instead.

Donations have been dropped off at the nursery which is in the grounds of the high school.

Coun Marsh thanked everyone who had donated gifts and said it has far exceeded what they had expected, whih he described as brilliant.

He said: “Christmas is a wonderful time, but for many it can also be a difficult time, with this year being extra hard.

“I’m grateful to have been able to help Katie and Mrs Murray distribute gifts to bring a bit of cheer to older people in our community, especially those who have had to shield for a large part of the year.

He added: “I want to thank everyone who has donated gifts, it has far exceeded what we had expected, which is absolutely brilliant.”

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