The Salvation Army’s annual present appeal launches to help families struggling in Wigan this Christmas
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Time to dig deep and support those less fortunate this festive season as the Salvation Army begins its Christmas gift appeal
The Salvation Army is calling on the Wigan community and surrounding areas to share love and hope this Christmas by donating new toys to its annual present appeal to help make sure that no child goes without a gift this year.
As everyday costs continue to climb, more families are pushed into poverty, struggling to make ends meet and are already making impossible choices between food, heating, and bills.
The Salvation Army is asking people to donate new toys and gifts to ensure that all children have something to open on Christmas Day.
Last year, thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses, Wigan Salvation Army distributed gifts to more than 600 children with the church and charity fearing the relentless increase in the cost of living will mean more people need help this year than ever before.
Major Alison Lewis, church leader of The Salvation Army in Wigan, said: “This Christmas families are wondering how they’ll get through the week.
“Our Christmas Present Appeal is an opportunity for people in our community to embrace the spirit of Christmas and give to families and individuals who have next to nothing.
“Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and togetherness, but for the people who are already struggling to put food on the table or heat their homes, it can be incredibly stressful and isolating.
“We believe every child deserves to experience joy on Christmas morning.
“We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of the public in supporting our appeal each year, and hope the good people of Wigan can help us again to make sure every child wakes up on Christmas Day with a smile on their face.”
The church and community centre located on Scholes will be collecting donations of new unwrapped toys until Christmas Eve. People can drop their generous contribution at the church and community centre, make a donation via JustGiving www.justgiving.com/page/wigan-corps-and-community-13 or gifts can be chosen from the Amazon Wishlist and sent directly to the church via www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1JUMJ61EY09MM.
The Salvation Army will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through local groups, schools and social services.
Gifts can include anything from educational toys, baby clothes, bath toys, books, including learn to read books (for babies and toddlers) to dolls and action figures, sports equipment and clothing, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, T-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers for older children.
A church and charity, The Salvation Army expresses its Christian faith by offering friendship, practical help and support to some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities. To help support The Salvation Army’s year-round work please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/donate
For more information about the Christmas Present Appeal and ideas about gifts, see The Salvation Army’s website: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal or contact The Salvation Army in Wigan on [email protected] or 01942 826 461.