For most, Christmas is a time of gift giving, excessive amounts of food and fun with family and friends. However for 15,600* vulnerable children across Doncaster this is not a reality.
Hallam FM’s Mission Christmas campaign aims to make sure every child in South Yorkshire has a present to open on Christmas day, by collecting gift donations.
As partners with Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids, and providing two of the designated drop off points for gifts, Polypipe, based in Doncaster, kick started donations by delivering hundreds of pounds worth of essential baby products to the Hallam FM HQ.
Pulling up in the iconic blue van, and greeted by Father Christmas himself, the team at Polypipe supplied baby clothes, food, nappies, wipes and an assortment of other treats that can help a family with young children through the hectic Christmas period - all paid for through company fundraising.
Rachel Smith, Head of Marketing at Polypipe Building Products, said:
“We often work with local charities and once we heard the number of families living below the poverty line in Doncaster, we wanted to help in any way we could. We heard that gifts for babies and teenagers were in great demand this year, and so we knew right away what we wanted to give.
“Our donation is just the start of our involvement this Christmas. We are also opening our doors to the public, allowing them to drop gifts off in aid of the mission. Hopefully, we will make a difference and ensure that every child in South Yorkshire wakes up to a gift on Christmas day.”
Allan Ogle, charity manager for Hallam FM’s Cash for Kids, said: “2015’s appeal was a huge success with over 21,400 kids across South Yorkshire waking up with gifts and we want 2016 to be even bigger. With the help of partners, like Polypipe, we are helping to make that happen.”
To support Hallam FM and Mission Christmas, gifts can be dropped off at a number of locations, including two of Polypipe’s Doncaster sites, on Neale Road (just off Wheatley Hall Road) and Broomhouse Lane, Edlington, up until the 18th December. The two Polypipe drop off points are open 24 hours, making it easier than ever to donate. Gifts must be unwrapped and for children aged 0-18.
*Source: Ofsted Report for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council: http://ow.ly/77vv306YlrP
For more information on the campaign, visit:http://www.hallamfm.co.uk/charity/mission-christmas/