Waterside Christmas Appeal 2022

A partnership project with The Handy Trust, Fawley Parish Council youth workers and Gang Warily Scout and Guide HQ

2022 saw the return of our Waterside Christmas appeal project. This year, the local businesses that supported us by providing local drop-off points for donations were:

· The Manna House Bakery, Marchwood

· Hays Travel, Hythe

· Tesco, Applemore

· Dibden Purlieu Post office

· Gang Warily

· Thurstons, Holbury (a special thank you for creating all our posters free of charge)

· Compuco, Blackfield

· Fawley Express, Fawley

We want to all say a massive thank you to our drop-off points who advertised the appeal and looked after all the donations we had ready for us to collect.

Also, a huge thank you to –

· The Old Mill, Holbury who raised £1000 for us through their Christmas raffle

· Dibden Allotments Fund providing £1000 towards the appeal

· Waterside Women for their donation of 50 £10 gift vouchers for the teenagers we supported

· The Scratch project for providing us with a generous donation

· Exxon for donating £646 towards the appeal

· Councillor Sean Cullen for a generous donation

· Mary Trattle trust for a generous donation

· Marchwood Hub for allowing us use of their building to store presents and become an Elves workshop

A big thank you also to

· Little Shipmates pre-school

· Hythe job centre

For both collecting items to donate

And, of course, a massive thank you to each and every person who donated to the appeal whether it was money, a Christmas dinner, colouring pencils, wrapping paper or a bigger gift! We appreciate every single person who supported the appeal, as well as the many offers of help with running the project. You are all amazing!

WITH THANKS TO ALL THOSE ABOVE, AND THE PROJECT TEAM WE SUPPORTED

291 CHILDREN FROM 95 FAMILIES IN THE WATERSIDE AREA!!

Some comments of thanks we had from families who received our support:

“Just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and everyone at the waterside Christmas appeal. We received our parcel yesterday and we were so happy and grateful. The last 6 months and Christmas especially have been a massive struggle for us, like everyone but that parcel has helped so much and is really appreciated. thank you again for all your help and support this year.”

“I just wanna thank you so so much for the presents for the kids, they are amazing and they will love them! Honestly I can’t thank you enough for your help and support! I really hope u have an amazing Christmas”

“thank you soooo much. This has made me quite tearful to know people care. I am struggling so much on my own and that will make Christmas much more enjoyable”

Each parcel delivered was able to provide three gifts, arts and crafts activities, family games, books, chocolate, sweet and many had wrapping paper and sellotape too!

This project brings our community together to support local families who are struggling, fearing Christmas and how they will cope financially at this time. This year, 95 families are going to find the magic in Christmas again knowing local people and business care and were able to donate despite us all feeling the price hikes this year. We are so proud to live and work in this community and our team are forever grateful to be able to carry out such a rewarding, amazing project.

We look forward to doing this again in 2023

From us all at Waterside Christmas Appeal