Over 5000 toys and gifts were donated by the generous people of Burnley and Padiham to Burnley Togethers 2023 Christmas Gift appeal. Over 1200 children from 630 families opened gifts on Christmas making it Burnley Together’s most successful Christmas toy appeal to date.
Launched 28 years ago with the support of the Burnley Express, this will be the fourth year Burnley Together have coordinated the appeal.
Aimed at children and young people up to the age of 16, each child received a main gift, a second present, two small gifts and a selection box.
This year, 35 organisations and businesses hosted collection boxes for the toys with 16 schools and 3 supermarkets across the town also collecting donations.
Burnley Together received referrals from 32 schools and 5 nurseries along with other referrals from social services and community groups providing support for vulnerable families.
A group of volunteers stepped forward to help sorting the gifts out for families including 60 Health and Social students from Burnley College, 15 pupils from Shuttleworth College and staff from the following organisations; Ring Stones, Exertis, Mann and Hummel, Daisy Communications, Burnley West PCN and The Calico Group.
Burnley Together co-ordinator, Nicola Larnach said; “We can’t thank everyone enough for the donations and the help and support given towards the appeal.
This year’s appeal has been a massive success and our best one to date. We are continuously amazed by the support of our community to come together and help families in need.”