Big-hearted Halton Borough Council staff and volunteers have been collecting hampers for the needy and have collected more than 150 hampers and gifts for more than 380 children.
Maureen Ball, Early Help Officer from Runcorn Children’s Centres has been coordinating the effort for people in Halton that might not be able to celebrate Christmas in the way most of us would consider as normal.
Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Children, Young People and Families, Cllr Tom McInerney, said: “Many families in Runcorn have been hit hard by universal credit, low incomes or just hitting a difficult patch in their life.
“Health Visitors, Social Workers, Early help officers, Locality workers, school and nursery staff have identified families that they feel would benefit from this initiative.
“Thanks to the kind generosity of other families, individuals and organisations such as Asda, Onward Homes, Runcorn Police Station, Runcorn Rotary, St Vincent Da Paull Church, Oak Meadow, Sandymoor School, Half Way House, Runcorn Food Bank, Donate a Dinner, Windmill Hill Big Local, All Saints Church in Warrington and Halton Well North we have been able to create food hampers for 155 families and supply gifts for over 380 children. “
A special thanks must go to Asda and it fantastic support it has given to the project.
Customers have been donating new gifts and making financial contributions. OBA School and the Mini Police came to help set up the hampers along with the children’s centre team.
Claire Hunter, Principal Manager for Runcorn Children’s centre said: “This starts in early September and is driven forward by the determination of Maureen Ball, who leaves no stone unturned to ensue she can secure maximum support and contributions from the community.
“She is a real credit to the team and will be sorely missed when she retires in March 2019. The overwhelming support from the community and organisations that work in Runcorn has been truly moving.
- A similar scheme took place in Widnes, more details to follow