Bring festive cheer to Rotherham families by donating a gift

The appeal aims to bring some festive cheer to families in need after it was kicked off at Parkgate Shopping on Monday.

Kindhearted members of the public are urged to donate Christmas gifts for children who would not normally receive anything.

A partnership headed up by Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) and including Parkgate Shopping, Rotherham United and RotherFM, is collecting for children up to age 18.

The retail park will have “giving trees” dotted around, where shoppers can pick up gift tags from the branches and buy age-appropriate gifts for children due to receive them.

The tags will state the gender and age of the children.

Julie Adamson, services manager at VAR, said: “The toy appeal is well established in the town, and we are hoping to beat last year’s total of over 1,000 toys which were collected and distributed to families.

“I am sure local people will pull out all the stops once again to spread a little extra festive cheer this Christmas.”

The Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Eve Rose Keenan, officially launched the appeal. Rotherham United manager Paul Warne and players Semi Ajayi and Shaun Cummings were there to lend their support, while students from the Alexandra Hans Vocal Academy sang festive songs.

For further information, call Julie Adamson on 01709 834465 or email on [email protected].