Gifts still flooding in as Burnley Christmas Toy Appeal smashes £3,000 target

Parents and staff at St Mary Magdalene's RC Primary School collected the gifts for the appeal which this week smashed its £3,000 fundraising target by £430.

And £500 was raised through a raffle held on a facebook group called Burnley Virtual Christmas Market which was launched to showcase local traders. The draw for a grand raffle launched by founder, Lucy Whitehall, was held last weekend.

Even though 2020 has been a tough year for so many, it has not stopped businesses, shops and individuals from wanting to make a contrbution to the appeal that is now in its 25th year. And those donations are vital to make sure that thousands of children across the borough can wake up to lovely new gifts on Christmas morning.

Launched 25 years ago by the Salvation Army and the Burnley Express this year the appeal is being run by the Burnley Together partnership of Burnley Council, The Calico Group, Burnley Leisure, BFC in the Community and many more organisations all pulling together to make it a success.

Last year, the Salvation Army ensured that 1,800 children across Burnley and Padiham received gifts.. This year a lot more families will need the help of generous folk to help to make Christmas Day possible for their children.

There are now 14 collection points for gifts across Burnley and, as all shops were allowed to open last week more have been added.

The Burnley Together 'elves' have also been busy sorting through the presents already received through the Amazon Wishlist.

Staff at Burnley Leisure are also raising cash to buy toys and gifts with their own 'Secret Santa' initiative and the organisation has also pledged to provide vouchers so that children and their families can take part in activities such as swimming, mini golf, holiday clubs and pitch and putt.

Touched by the appeal Burnley based JCS Interiors is also raising money and so far has bought over 50 toys, 60 selection boxes and numerous boxes of biscuits and chocolates.

Anyone who would like more information is asked to go to the company's facebook page.

The appeal is also asking people to shop local and support Burnley businesses during what has been an unprecedented year for so many. Any business that would like to be added to the present appeal directory is asked to email [email protected].

Pupils and staff at Cliviger's St John the Divine have thrown their support behind the campaign by collecting presents for the appeal and also for the food bank. The school is also acting as a collection point at the start and end of the school day.

Anyone who would like more information about the Christmas appeal, including drop off points for gifts and how to make a donation is asked to click HERE