This year has seen another overwhelming response to Runcorn Children’s Centres Christmas Hamper and Toy Appeal.

Halton Borough Council’s Children’s Centre staff have been working on the project since September with local partners and the community to gather food and gifts for local families who require a little extra support over Christmas.

Halon Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Marie Wright, said: “Christmas can be a very stressful time for families, with the increased cost of food and heating, can leave families short of money to buy their child a gift for the festive period.

The overwhelming support from the local community and organisations that work in Runcorn has been truly moving. By providing a food hamper and gifts, we can relieve some of that pressure to ensure that the children are not left going without over the Christmas period.”

Health Visitors, Social Workers, Housing Officers, Early Help Officers, Locality Workers, schools 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 Runcorn Food Bank, Asda, Onward Homes, Halton Borough Council Area Forum, Donate a Dinner, Windmill Hill Big Local, All Saints Church in Warrington, Vidor Waste Management we have been able to create food hampers for 145 families and supply gifts for over 300 children.

Asda in Runcorn hasd continued to be a great supporter of the initiative. Dee Samuel, Community Colleague at Asda said: “ Customers have been donating new gifts and making financial contributions. It’s truly amazing.”