CHESHIRE BUILDING SOCIETY LAUNCHES CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS APPEAL
30th November 2009
The Cheshire Building Society has teamed up with Coronation Street actress Helen Worth to support national children’s charity, Action for Children in the run up to Christmas.
The Building Society is launching an appeal for the public to donate gifts to help make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people across the North West, some of whom have had difficult pasts or faced serious setbacks in their young lives.
Running throughout December, donations can be made by dropping off gifts at any branch of the Cheshire Building Society. At the end of the campaign all contributions will be distributed to Action for Children centres throughout the region.
Speaking of the appeal, Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt in Britain’s favorite soap, said: "As Christmas approaches I would urge you to reflect for a moment on the thousands of children in the UK who have little to look forward to. Poverty, broken families, illness or neglect ... there are many reasons why these youngsters may not be expecting presents this year. Please help Action for Children and the Cheshire Building Society bring a little Christmas cheer into the lives of these young people."
To help boost the campaign, the Cheshire has pledged that every child who brings in a present for the charity will receive a goody bag themselves. As Action for Children supports young people up to the age of 18, gifts can be anything from toys to toiletries or practical items such as scarves and socks, although, as a responsible charity, it is unable to accept gifts of a violent nature. Coordinators of the appeal have requested that donated items are not gift wrapped as all presents will need to be checked before distribution.
“Christmas is traditionally a time for celebration, but for a lot children and young people in difficult circumstances it can be a lot more uncertain”, concluded Alistair Welham, Head of Products and Marketing at the Cheshire Building Society. “We hope that by working in partnership with Action for Children we can help raise awareness of the great work its does so that, together with the public, we can brighten up Christmas for children and teenagers across the North West this year.”
Action for Children runs a range of support services for children, young people and their families across the UK. In Cheshire, Action for Children runs a number of projects including Cheshire Family Support, Halton Children’s Rights, and Butterfly Bereavement Service.
Anyone wishing to find out more about Action for Children can visit its website on www.actionforchildren.org.uk
