The Regenda Group Works Together For Christmas Gift Appeal
Members of The Regenda Group have worked together to donate over 950 presents to vulnerable children around the North West in time for Christmas Day.
Petrus, a homelessness charity in Rochdale and part of The Regenda Group, had been receiving gifts from kind-hearted residents and businesses throughout December as part of their Christmas Gift Appeal campaign.
A whopping 971 gifts were collected in total, including sacks full of presents donated by group members: M&Y Maintenance and Construction, St. Helens, and Regenda Homes, Liverpool, which both acted as donation centres for the cause. Gifts were then collated at The Petrus Community Store and delivered to kids all over the region.
Pam Barrett, Petrus Community Store Manager, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people. This is the biggest donation we have ever received, and these gifts will go a long way in helping some of the most vulnerable children in Rochdale and beyond. I would like to thank everybody for their help and kindness.”
Around 345 presents were given to Rochdale Social Services for distribution and almost 100 gifts were donated to various Sure Start Centres around Rochdale which offer affordable, quality early learning and childcare for all families.
75 toys were donated to Queen Street Family Time Centre, Heywood. Anna Ashworth, who works at the centre, said: “Thank you from all the staff at Queen Street and on behalf of all the children and families who attend our centre for your kind donation of Christmas gifts.
“The children we work with are some of the most vulnerable in the Rochdale area and your thoughtful gesture will bring a smile to their faces!”
Toys were also donated to another subsidiary of The Regenda Group, Centre 56, a charity based in Liverpool which supports women and children who have suffered, or are at risk of, domestic abuse or a crisis situation.
The Managing Director of PossAbilities, Heywood, a social enterprise that supports vulnerable adults with learning disabilities helped massively with the Petrus Christmas Gift appeal with a very generous £1000 donation for their staff to organise and purchase gifts for the cause.
A further 81 toys were given homes at the Lighthouse Project - Middleton, a safe and welcoming environment where people can meet, find support and access opportunities that are caring, social and educational.
Home-Start Rochdale was provided Christmas gifts as they offer practical and emotional support for parents and children experiencing stress or difficulties
Keen to continue in the spirit of giving, Petrus will dish out the remaining 180 or so gifts in the New Year to various charitable centres, who will use them for children’s birthdays throughout 2020.
A full list of donors includes:
Petrus Community Store customers, parents and staff from Aunt Marys Day Nursery, Heywood and Willows Day Nursery, Rochdale, NatWest, Rochdale, GTM Electrical Services staff, Rochdale, PossAbilities Heywood, Co-Operative Group staff, Manchester, The Star Tree Studio, Littleborough, M&Y Maintenance and Construction, St. Helens, Regenda Homes, Liverpool, Home Office staff, Liverpool, parents of Shawside Juniors Football Club, Oldham.
For more information visit, www.petrus.org.uk