Gifts to add sparkle to children’s festive fun (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Gifts to add sparkle to children’s festive fun

3:00pm Wednesday 25th November 2009

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THE annual Christmas Gift Appeal, run by The Shuttle, gets under way on Saturday as Kidderminster lights up for the festive season.

The scheme is run in conjunction with the Swan shopping centre and Weavers Wharf and this year there are more outlets taking part than ever before.

The appeal runs until 5pm on Wednesday, December 16, and then Home-Start Wyre Forest volunteers will make sure the presents are delivered to children across the district in time for Christmas Day.

All you have to do is pop along to one of the outlets and collect one or more of the tags bearing the name and age of a child who would like a gift.

Alternatively, you can go to the Shuttle/Times & News office in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster.

We suggest spending between £5 and £10 and when you have chosen your gift, simply attach the tag to it and return it to one of the outlets taking part. You may wrap the gift if you wish.

The Swan shopping centre’s management suite (at the top of the escalator) will again be the hub of the appeal while McDonalds restaurant, Julian Graves, the shop at JJB Sports, Savers, Sports Direct, Greggs and Debenhams – all at Weavers Wharf – can be used by shoppers to collect tags or drop off gifts.

Ros Darby, manager of the Swan centre, said: “This appeal has become an important part of our Christmas celebrations. People are so generous and are always thinking of others.”

Town centre manager Jackie Roberts said: “The appeal seems to go from strength to strength and we are delighted that we have doubled the number of Weavers Wharf stores taking part this year.” Belinda Darby, manager of Home-Start Wyre Forest, said: “The gift appeal is a fantastic way to make Christmas a little extra special for children in our community and in particular for those families who are experiencing difficulties.

“Year on year we are amazed at the generosity of the community in coming forward with a gift for a stranger to make their Christmas a happier one. I am sure this will be more appreciated than ever by parents this year in the current financial climate and will provide a much- needed treat for many local children”.

The local Home-Start group will distribute gifts to local families currently receiving support from Home-Start or its partner agencies.

It will be working alongside West Mercia Women’s Aid, The Wyre Forest Child Development Centre and Children’s Services Family Support Team.

Home-Start is a local family support organisation, which last year supported 385 children in 201 Wyre Forest families through its team of 110 volunteers.

Any family with a child under five years who is experiencing difficulties can ask for free, confidential help in their own home for 2-3 hours every week.

For more information contact Belinda Darby on 01562 825896.

For more information on the appeal, contact Shuttle editor Clive Joyce on 01384 358282.

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