Newlife, the disabled children’s charity based in Cannock, had been given the advent calendars from a donor, which could be given to young children as a pre-Christmas gift.
Sheila Brown, co-founder and Chief Executive of Newlife, quickly contacted the Cannock Rotary to help distribute the calendars to primary schools in the Cannock Chase area.
The Cannock club formed a team of volunteers to unload, sort and delivery the calendars. The team, headed by Malcolm Hill, the Rotary club’s Youth Support co-ordinator, contacted 20 schools and youth organisation in the Cannock and Penkridge area to see if they wished to be involved.
Newlife, the disabled children’s charity based in Cannock, had been given the advent calendars from a donor, which could be given to young children as a pre-Christmas gift.
A team made up of Rotarians, friends and families sorted and delivered the calendars to 22 schools and youth and charity organisations in just one day, to enable the children to start using their advent calendars in the run up to Christmas.
A team made up of Rotarians, friends and families sorted and delivered the calendars to 22 schools and youth and charity organisations in just one day.”
Calendars were also donated to Rotary national children’s charity, Kids Out, to provide Christmas presents to survivors of domestic violence for their Christmas Toy Box appeal.
Malcolm Hill stated: “It was a great project to work on and shows the clubs commitment to continue to support the local community of Cannock Chase.”
Coincidentally, Rochford Rotary in Essex teamed up with national children’s charity KidsOut to provide Christmas presents to survivors of domestic violence.
Children living in refuges across the Rochford area received a box of brand-new toys and games to enjoy over the festive period.
Christmas is always tough for families in refuge, with this year harder than usual because of COVID-19.
Also involved with the KidsOut campaign were Elland Rotary from West Yorkshire.
Most children arrive at refuge with only the clothes on their back, restricted to a single room with their mother and siblings. Mothers struggle to provide basic essentials, let alone toys for their children at Christmas.
As part of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland, Rochford Rotary was part of a nationwide campaign to provide a Rotary Christmas toy box to ‘Every Refuge, Every Child’.
Club President, Peter Mannering said: “Thanks to our local fund-raising efforts, we funded eight boxes of brand-new toys to help support children’s mental health and make the world a little kinder.
As part of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland, Rochford Rotary was part of a nationwide campaign to provide a Rotary Christmas toy box to ‘Every Refuge, Every Child’.”
“Each box contained over £80 worth of gender/age appropriate toys designed to promote social and educational development and family bonding.
“The boxes are packed by KidsOut and they were distributed straight to refuge for mothers to give to their children in time for Christmas. We are delighted to support such a worthwhile cause.”
Also involved with the KidsOut campaign were Elland Rotary from West Yorkshire. Rotarian Andrew Marsh said that the club had collected 200 shoeboxes from schools and that £6,000 had been raised through the club’s JustGiving fund.
