Browse Sections

• Barlow's brief
• Education
• Special reports

Thank you!

28/12/2007

CHRISTMAS Toy Appeal organisers have expressed a "heartfelt thanks" to Macclesfield Express readers who generously donated hundreds of gifts to underprivileged children.

Delighted kids across the borough were able to enjoy a sparkling festive season thanks to our kind-hearted readers who bought toys for the vulnerable youngsters to open on Christmas morning.

Along with our sister papers, the Wilmslow Express and Stockport Express and Times, the Macclesfield Express teamed up with BiG Storage to try and give vulnerable children a happier Christmas.

A deluge of gifts have been donated over the past months, resulting in an 8ft high, 50sq ft brightly coloured mound of toys, teddy bears, CDs and other gifts piling up at the BiG Storage Depot.

Toys were distributed in vanloads in time to reach designated charities and youngsters before Christmas.

Sadie Lund, Christmas Toy Appeal co-ordinator, said: "We have had an overwhelming response from people in Macclesfield. The charities have now distributed the gifts and toys, which were sent out in their vanloads to the charities.

"Each area involved had its own designated charity, which, in Macclesfield, was the NCH Poolswood Family Centre, as well as other charities in the area."

Paul Fahey of BiG Storage said: "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the readers for their generosity and support in donating gifts this Christmas to underprivileged children in the area. It is wonderful to witness the community spirit which is so apparent in Macclesfield."

This week the NCH Poolswood Family Centre, Henshaws Society for the Blind, Barnardo’s and the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust gave out the huge array of gifts to thousands of children and teenagers across the region.

Express editor David Lafferty added: "I am immensely proud of the Macclesfield Express readers in coming forward and buying toys to help brighten up Christmas for less fortunate children. It is due to our readers that this campaign has been such a huge success."