Communities pull together to help needy kids

COMMUNITIES across the region pulled together over the last eight weeks to make Christmas special for 17,604 children who would have woken up to nothing at all without the Mission Christmas gift appeal.

Chief Fundraising Officer Judith Meagher said: “We operated the appeal from our warehouse in Hedge End, Southampton and had help from over 200 drop off points across the south.

“We had lots of drop off points in your area, including large supermarkets and national chains, and we also had lots of lovely local businesses who helped to collect 50,000 gifts.

“For Portsmouth, we had Brittany Ferries as our main sponsor and we had drop off points on the Isle of Wight too – and beneficiaries came to us from all over the south, many of them needing hundreds of presents for children on their doorstep.”

The number of children is for Hampshire, Dorset, the Isle of Wight and parts of West Sussex and Wiltshire. Gosport youngsters were among the main beneficiaries.

This campaign was run with association from Wave 105 and other sponsors, who organised events in December in a bid to secure gifts and toys for 9-12 year olds; gaining media attention and supporters as a result.

Drop off points included B&M in Fareham Shopping Centre, Morrisons and other popular shops across both boroughs; as reported in our article from December 10 in which an appeal was launched for reader’s support.