Plea for companies and businesses to throw their support behind the Burnley Together Christmas Gift Appeal

The project, which is set for a fun and festive launch next month, collects new toys and gifts for children from disadvantaged and vulnerable families, to ensure they have presents to open on Christmas morning.

Companies are invited to hold their own donation drive of gifts which will then be collected by an army of Christmas ‘elves’ ready to be distributed in time for the big day

Plans for this year’s launch in Burnley town centre being kept underwraps for now. And this year the appeal has a very special theme called Give a gift to make a lasting memory.

Organisers want people to think about the most memorable gifts they received as children that made Christmas special for them so they can create some festive magic for today’s youngsters.

This year all the families benefiting from the appeal will also receive a festive goody bag filled with festive treats courtesy of BFC in the Community to help make Christmas Day a special celebration.

The appeal was originally launched by the Burnley branch of the Salvation Army three decades ago. Supported by the Burnley Express from the start, Burnley Together kindly took over the running of the appeal in 2020 during the pandemic when Salvation Army volunteers had to step back.

Any companies who would like to get involved are asked to email Ella Roberts at [email protected]