Come Together Christmas is back for the sixth year running with one simple goal; to ensure that no child in Merseyside wakes up without a Christmas present.
Statistics say that one in six children will wake up to nothing on Christmas morning but organiser Mark Scanlon is on a mission to change that in Liverpool.
With an incredible target of £100,000, the entrepreneur is confident that the Come Together Christmas Appeal will meet its goal with the generosity of local businesses and the people of Liverpool who have come together to donate toys and cash this Christmas.
Helping over 3,000 children in Liverpool last year, Mark and the team hope to double that this Christmas.
There are 100 drop-off locations and 45 community centres and support groups receiving the donations around the city including BOXPARK Liverpool, Taskers, The Lake House in Crosby, Duke Street Food and Drink Market, and KKZ Performance Centre to name a few, Come Together Christmas supports children all over Merseyside as well as centres across the city including the Women’s Refuge, men’s mental health charities and a variety of schools.
Along with toys for younger children, Come Together Christmas has used its donations to purchase £20,000 worth of £40 gift vouchers for teenagers, and the appeal will also purchase thousands of pounds of Tesco’s food vouchers to support families.
Mark Scanlon, organiser of Come Together Christmas Appeal, said:
“Each year, the appeal is getting bigger and bigger and that’s because we’re building momentum but also because conditions are becoming tougher for people. The need has never been greater than it is right now and people really need support. I think it can be quite hard for people to understand just how many are struggling right now.
“The generosity shown by local businesses and the amazing people of Liverpool has been overwhelming. Thanks to all the help that we’ve received so far, we’ll be helping thousands of children this year. The last day for toy donations is this Wednesday 17th December. If you can help in any way, no matter how big or small, please do. You could change someone’s Christmas entirely. We have over 45 drop off points across the city region which will be able to accept your donation and ensure it reaches someone less fortunate this Christmas.”
Donations can be made at one of the official Come Together Christmas drop off points. They can be found on the website.
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