Caring Jessica Holt spent months putting together make-up bags and gift sets for the Burnley Together Christmas Present Appeal. Jessica, who is part of the governance team at the Calico Group, began buying make-up, bath sets and other pamper treats for teenage girls when she heard they were often in short supply among the many generous donations. Collecting and buying gifts since June, Jessica was able to donate 30 make-up bags, which include eye shadow palettes, make up sponges and lip glosses, and 24 gift bags. Family, friends and former classmates rallied to help after Jessica put out an appeal on social media and she was ‘overwhelmed’ to receive £180 in cash towards the gifts.placeholder image
Caring Jessica Holt spent months putting together make-up bags and gift sets for the Burnley Together Christmas Present Appeal. Jessica, who is part of the governance team at the Calico Group, began buying make-up, bath sets and other pamper treats for teenage girls when she heard they were often in short supply among the many generous donations. Collecting and buying gifts since June, Jessica was able to donate 30 make-up bags, which include eye shadow palettes, make up sponges and lip glosses, and 24 gift bags. Family, friends and former classmates rallied to help after Jessica put out an appeal on social media and she was ‘overwhelmed’ to receive £180 in cash towards the gifts.

24 Days of Christmas Kindness showcases town's incredible festive spirit

By John Deehan
Published 24th Dec 2024, 09:38 GMT

The season of giving is in full swing, and the people of Burnley have been going the extra mile to spread Christmas cheer to those in need.

To showcase the incredible generosity of compassionate individuals and businesses, the Burnley Express shared a daily act of kindness from December 1st to Christmas Eve.

Keep scrolling to see them all: –

The Bridge family are the very definition of Christmas spirit. For the third year in a row they have transformed their home in Nelson into a winter wonderland where they invite youngsters to meet Father Christmas and the Grinch and receive a sweetie bag and a hot chocolate. Affectionately named ‘The Bridges who stole Christmas’ the project began in 2022 when Joanne Bridge and her husband Andrew started making up food parcels for those struggling during the cost of living crisis.

21. Day 21

The Bridge family are the very definition of Christmas spirit. For the third year in a row they have transformed their home in Nelson into a winter wonderland where they invite youngsters to meet Father Christmas and the Grinch and receive a sweetie bag and a hot chocolate. Affectionately named ‘The Bridges who stole Christmas’ the project began in 2022 when Joanne Bridge and her husband Andrew started making up food parcels for those struggling during the cost of living crisis. Photo: NA

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Burnley-based VEKA donated £2,500 to both Burnley Together’s Christmas Present Appeal and Burnley FC in the Community’s foodbank. These vital contributions from the global leading PVCu supplier enabled Burnley Together to give toys and presents to local children who may otherwise have had no gifts to open on Christmas morning. While the donation to Burnley FC in the Community was put towards feeding families in need with VEKA covering 250 Christmas goodie bags via its foodbank. “We’re proud to support Burnley Together's Christmas Present Appeal and Burnley FC in the Community’s foodbank as both of these are worthy causes,” said Neil Evans, Managing Director of VEKA plc. “The work they do in the community is crucial and we are committed to ensure that no child goes without this Christmas. By working together, we can make a real difference and bring some much-needed joy to families in Burnley.”

22. Day 22

Burnley-based VEKA donated £2,500 to both Burnley Together’s Christmas Present Appeal and Burnley FC in the Community’s foodbank. These vital contributions from the global leading PVCu supplier enabled Burnley Together to give toys and presents to local children who may otherwise have had no gifts to open on Christmas morning. While the donation to Burnley FC in the Community was put towards feeding families in need with VEKA covering 250 Christmas goodie bags via its foodbank. “We’re proud to support Burnley Together's Christmas Present Appeal and Burnley FC in the Community’s foodbank as both of these are worthy causes,” said Neil Evans, Managing Director of VEKA plc. “The work they do in the community is crucial and we are committed to ensure that no child goes without this Christmas. By working together, we can make a real difference and bring some much-needed joy to families in Burnley.” Photo: na

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An anonymous ‘Santa Claus’ proved that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in Burnley. A donation of a Christmas tree was made to replace the one that vandals attacked in the town’s Ightenhill Park, just days before a community carols event was due to take place. Specially planted and paid for by the Friends of Ightenhill Park group, volunteers were horrified to discover someone had hacked off the top half of the tree. The new tree was installed in time for the carol singing by Burnley Council’s Green Spaces.

23. Day 23

An anonymous ‘Santa Claus’ proved that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in Burnley. A donation of a Christmas tree was made to replace the one that vandals attacked in the town’s Ightenhill Park, just days before a community carols event was due to take place. Specially planted and paid for by the Friends of Ightenhill Park group, volunteers were horrified to discover someone had hacked off the top half of the tree. The new tree was installed in time for the carol singing by Burnley Council’s Green Spaces. Photo: Na

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Zany pals Hayley Bradshaw and Marie Mason stepped out on their annual festive walk to raise cash for Pendleside Hospice. Dressed in eye catching festive costumes, the duo set off at 6am in the morning from The Royal Butterfly pub in Hufling Lane and walked through town towards Tesco. They started the walk five years ago to cheer up people on a dark, cold morning and to raise cash for Pendleside Hospice. Pledging to donate to the hospice for every beep they received from passing drivers, the duo were so overwhelmed with the amount they received they couldn’t keep count! ‘Honk for the Hospice’ has now become an annual fundraiser

24. Day 24

Zany pals Hayley Bradshaw and Marie Mason stepped out on their annual festive walk to raise cash for Pendleside Hospice. Dressed in eye catching festive costumes, the duo set off at 6am in the morning from The Royal Butterfly pub in Hufling Lane and walked through town towards Tesco. They started the walk five years ago to cheer up people on a dark, cold morning and to raise cash for Pendleside Hospice. Pledging to donate to the hospice for every beep they received from passing drivers, the duo were so overwhelmed with the amount they received they couldn’t keep count! ‘Honk for the Hospice’ has now become an annual fundraiser Photo: NA

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