Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) is looking for residents and businesses to make a donation to some of the most disadvantaged children, young people, families and vulnerable adults this Christmas.
Christmas is a special time of year for a lot of people, but not everyone. The expense and expectation can place a real strain on any family, but particularly those living in poverty, facing homelessness or a family breakdown.
As part of our annual Christmas Giving Appeal, CBH is supporting Caring for Communities and People’s (CCP) Hamper Scamper to spread some cheer to people who may struggle during the festive period.
CBH take part in the appeal every year and help to co-ordinate the donations of gifts to children in Gloucestershire, with a target of delivering 500 gifts this year. To kick things off this year Peter Drew Group, a specialist uniform provider based in Warwickshire, has generously donated 100 brand new children’s coats to the appeal.
The appeal will also support CBH’s own Help2 discretionary fund and unwrapped donations of food (such as chocolates, sweets, biscuits, pasta, rice, tea bags, coffee and tinned goods) can be made to the CBH offices at Cheltenham House, Clarence Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JR from 7am -7pm until Wednesday 28th November.
On top of this CBH has joined up with the newly opened John Lewis and Partners to hold a special event from Wednesday 28th – Friday 30th November. The store will have a Christmas tree which will be decorated with a gift tag for every child and details of what they have asked for this Christmas.
Customers then select and buy the gift in the shop, before taking it to the store’s Discovery Room where staff from John Lewis, CBH and CCP will be wrapping each of the presents before they are given to children and their families.
Steve Slater, executive director (finance and resources) at Cheltenham Borough Homes, said: “We know that Christmas can put a real strain on some families, so we're really pleased to be supporting CCP and working closely with John Lewis and Partners, as well as all our other stakeholders, on this campaign.
"For the last five years we've been involved in this wonderful appeal, supporting the fantastic work that CCP do. That support has grown year on year, and we're hoping that this year will be the biggest one yet!"
Elizabeth Thatcher, event co-ordinator at CCP, said: “Last year we were able to provide an incredible 2,800 gifts for disadvantaged children and young people, as well as 1,671 food parcels for families and vulnerable adults living in poverty.
“None of this would be possible without the support of residents and businesses such as Cheltenham Borough Homes. This is the fifth year we’ve worked with them and I’m very grateful for all the support they continue to show us and the families we help.”
For more information, or to sign up to the appeal, please visit: www.cbh.org.
Contact the press office on communications@cheltenham.gov.uk | 0800 408 0000