Release date: January 07, 2022
Helen Walton of the Giving Back charity with Oliver Stuckey of Middleton
A great team effort for the Rochdale Give Back Christmas Toy Appeal meant over 1,500 less fortunate children from the area had gifts to open on this big day. Local residents and businesses helped donate more than 4,500 toys and gifts, which were sorted and delivered to homes across the district.
Rochdale Borough Council political advisor Helen Walton, of the Giving Back charity behind the appeal, said it was a fabulous team effort: “Once again the county prides itself on helping families in need. My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who donated – thanks to them, many children who would otherwise have done without them were able to open presents on Christmas morning. “
“In addition to all the individual donations, we also saw many wonderful companies sign up and donate toys, money and time, which gave the attraction a boost. I would also like to thank all of our volunteers, around 30 absolute stars who gave up their Saturdays or holidays to sort out all the presents.
“Thanks to everyone we were able to help children from families who cannot afford the bare minimums and who in many cases go through difficult times. When children talk about their gifts in the playground, I find it so difficult for those who have not received anything, so that your donations have a lasting effect beyond the initial joy. The appeal will also have boosted trade as we know that many of the gifts were bought on the spot, including thousands of pounds in gifts that we bought with monetary donations received. “
12-year-old Oliver Stuckey received praise after collecting over 80 toys and donating them to the roll call. The Middleton student at Cardinal Langley RC High School used his free time to design his own posters and got locals to drop off gifts at Sharper Hair Design in Alkrington, where his mother works.
Councilor Rachel Massey, Cabinet Member for Childcare and Education, Rochdale Borough Council added, “The many donations we received raised so many smiles on Christmas Day, thank you very much. It was very moving to see the huge stacks of gifts that have been collected over the past week and I am grateful that so many people have taken the time to help. “
Since 2014, the roll call has been creating a much-needed festive mood for thousands of children and young people. It is organized by the council’s Giving Back charity in partnership with Action Together, Rochdale Football Club, Rochdale Riverside, Your Trust, Petrus and Rochdale Town Center Management.
Companies and other organizations that supported the call in 2021 were Signals IT Ltd, Amazon Logistics (Kingsway), JGM Agency, Wilmott Dixon, PDS Doorsets, Hunter Price, Better Together Rochdale, Action Together, Harrisons ICS, Bamford Barista, Tui Rochdale, Miles Kelly Publishing, Falinge Park High School, Gener8, Business in the Community, Hopwood Hall College, Your Trust, Littleborough Boxing Club and Rochdale RUFC Ladies Team.
