Wellbeing centres across Leicestershire helped hundreds of struggling families over Christmas

Family support workers in Hinckley & Bosworth gifted over 460 presents.

Hundreds of struggling Leicestershire families have received presents, festive hampers and food vouchers over Christmas. 

Family support workers in Hinckley & Bosworth have been running their annual toy appeal and have distributed over 468 presents and counting for children across the borough.

One parent said: “The Christmas Toy appeal has been a god send. I have a disabled child – buying specialist toys for her is so expensive and leaves me short of money over Christmas to buy nice food and provide gifts for my other children. Having food and toy packages from the appeal has changed my view on Christmas and reduced my mum guilt.” 

They have also given out £7,000 worth of food vouchers to help vulnerable families.

Another parent added: ‘People have been so kind and generous at a stressful time when we are all struggling. This appeal has definitely taken away some of my worries – I can’t thank you all enough for helping families in need. I wish you all a happy Christmas!” 

Meanwhile, in North West Leicestershire and Blaby, Oadby & Wigston, Christmas treat hampers were delivered to families in need. 

The hampers contained a selection of Christmas dinner ingredients, store cupboard staples, fresh fruit and veg and party food, plus Christmas crackers, games and festive fun ideas. Gifts of chocolates and toys from the Leicestershire Tesco Express appeal were also included, plus fleece blankets to help families stay warm this winter.  

Additionally, North West Leicestershire has hosted a Christmas fair for families the service works with, where they could collect items for gifting kindly donated by the team, partners and local businesses.  

Councillor Deborah Taylor, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for children and families said:  “We are so pleased that these toys and hampers are going a small way towards making Christmas bright for some of the most vulnerable families in Leicestershire. We recognise that with the current cost of living increases, things are tougher than ever for many. 

 “I’d like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and extend a thank you to the children, families and companies who have donated toys and food for this valuable project.” 

Staff from the Children & Family Wellbeing Service are also running free Leicestershire Holidays Together Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) sessions for children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals. Charnwood Children & Family Wellbeing Service are holding a Christmas party for their families between Christmas and New Year. 
 

Businesses who have supported this project: 

• Salvation Army – partnership work to run the appeal 
• Children and Family Wellbeing Service - LCC staff – co-ordinating, packing and delivering toys/food vouchers 
• Hinckley and Rugby Building Society - team of volunteers packing, collecting and organising  
• Feed the Hungry – storage and packing space 
• Worklink – managing finances on behalf of the appeal 
• Food Bank – partnership, large sum of food vouchers for families  
• Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council – donation bins  
• Hinckley and Bosworth Leisure Centre – vouchers for teens  
• Hanson Quarry Syston – huge toy donation from their team  
• Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service – large cash donation  
• Cadent – large cash donations and volunteer support 
• Market Bosworth Rotary Club – large cash donation  
• Earl Shilton church – large donation and partnership  
• Leicestershire Tesco Express stores for food donations 
• LIFE church in South Wigston, beautifully wrapped hampers and gifts to distribute