Good causes in the Dersingham area benefit from the Co-op Christmas Toybox Appeal
Good causes in the Dersingham area are among those to have benefited from Central England Co-op's Christmas Toybox Appeal which received more than 12,000 presents donated by customers and members.
The gifts were dropped off at donation points located in all 262 stores across 16 counties during November and December so that children who may otherwise have gone without a gift had something to unwrap on Christmas Day.
All of the presents were then shared out via local charities, community groups, food banks and hospices who handed them to as many children as possible.
Organisations in the Dersingham area helped by the appeal were Baby Basics and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT). Baby Basics provides practical help for new mothers unable to afford the basic essentials and equipment necessary to look after their newborns.
The NCT aims to support parents through the first 1,000 days, to have the best possible experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
Debbie Robinson, Central England Co-op chief executive, said: “On behalf of everyone involved with our Society, I want to say a big thank-you to every customer, member and colleague who helped make our Christmas Toybox Appeal another incredible success.
“It is humbling that kind-hearted people in our communities have donated over 12,000 brand new presents and stocking fillers that are now going to bring smiles to the faces of thousands of youngsters up and down the country as they wake up on Christmas morning.
“We are so overwhelmed by the generosity shown by everyone who has supported this campaign and proud to be involved with some truly inspiring local good causes and charities who work not just at Christmas but all year round to make sure children get great support when they need it most.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped us here at Central England Co-op to give over 12,000 children a gift they will never forget this Christmas.”
Items donated included puzzles, games, soft toys, outdoor toys, books, dolls/figures, CDs/DVDs and art materials, and even children’s bicycles.
Other major organisations supported by this year’s Christmas Toybox Appeal included Family Action, Rainbows Hospice, the Salvation Army and The Active Wellbeing Society.
