‘Rotary Toy Shop’ aims to meet charity requests

All the charities and good causes throughout Calderdale were asked to submit their requests for filled Christmas presents to the “Rotary Toy Shop” by the end of November, and many have.

If there are any more good causes out there having not placed a request, particularly where children are concerned, please contact Rotarian Bryan on 07770 471698.

The charities themselves, are like the rest of us, operating under very difficult conditions but their need is as great as ever as many they assist will be facing hardship this Christmas.

Take for example a very important one, the WomenCentre.

This is a local charity that works in Kirklees and Calderdale supporting over 3,000 local women a year.

Their main areas of service delivery are domestic abuse and women’s health and well-being.

Women also receive support with practical issues such as parenting, managing debt, and housing and immigration issues.

The services reach many women who are at points of crisis: women experiencing acute and chronic mental health difficulties; in contact with the criminal justice system; women refugees and asylum seekers; women in poverty; those with drug and alcohol problems; and victims of domestic violence and their children.

Maxine Edwards from the centre has received in the past such comments as: ”People in Calderdale have been so kind.”

“People really do care.”

“I was getting so stressed, not having any money for the kids. Receiving these gifts for my children has lifted a weight off, knowing they will have something to open Christmas Day is fantastic.”

So if readers can help, there is still time to fill a shoebox that can be obtained from Marsh & Marsh Properties at Hipperholme, Sainsbury’s in Halifax, Tesco Customer Services at King

Cross and Sowerby Bridge and hopefully from next week after this lockdown, Harveys Cookshop

Another alternative is Rotary’s Shoebox Just Giving page where as little as a few pounds can be donated online.

Visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/rotaryshoeboxappeal2020 to donate.

In the meanwhile the elves have commenced work in Santa’s Secret Grotto sorting boxes that have already been returned. Also in the picture are quantities of Quality Street chocolates recently donated by Nestle, so thanks to them.