Christmas presents sought in The Salvation Army appeal as number of Horsham families in need rises

A Horsham charity is calling on the community to donate presents to its biggest Christmas appeal following a rise in the number of families needing support.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

It is being run by The Salvation Army in Horsham which this year has received a third more referrals from schools, health visitors and social services who identify families in need of help this festive season.

Major Iain Stewart, who leads The Salvation Army in Horsham with his wife Ann, said: “Every year we ask people to donate new toys and gifts to our Christmas present appeal so we can distribute them to families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This year, we are seeing the number of families needing help is rising dramatically as a result of the pandemic’s impact on already tight family budgets.

Christmas with the County Times SUS-201124-095617001Christmas with the County Times SUS-201124-095617001
Christmas with the County Times SUS-201124-095617001

“Last year, we supported more than 500 children with toys and gifts and their families with food. We’ve already received requests for support for families totaling more than 800 children plus 450 adults ahead of Christmas 2020.

“I’ve been helping The Salvation Army bring Christmas to families for whom it might otherwise not happen for 13 years, and this year the need is the biggest I’ve ever seen.”

The Salvation Army would be grateful for financial donations through its Justgiving site to help them purchase gifts for children and vouchers to put a meal on the table for the family.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Donations of brand new unwrapped toys and food vouchers or supermarket gift cards are also welcomed until December 4.

Donations can be dropped at The Salvation Army Horsham, Booth Way, Depot Road, between 9.30am-12.30pm, Monday to Friday, or call 01403 254624 to arrange another time.

The Government has confirmed that travelling to drop of donations in kind is a permitted activity as a voluntary act and all gifts will be quarantined as part of strict Covid-19 measures. For this reason it would be helpful if donations could be made as soon as possible.

Gifts can include anything from soft and educational toys for the very youngest child, to games, toys, books and accessories for older children. In particular gifts for girls aged 2-15 and boys aged 2-12 are required.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Salvation Army will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through their networks and via local schools and social services.

All the families supported through the appeal are referred anonymously by local schools and support agencies who know their situation. This helps to ensure that support goes to those in the greatest need, and that their privacy is respected.

Major Stewart said: “By adding an extra present or treat to your shopping list you can remind families facing a tough winter that their community cares. We are extremely grateful for the donations we have already received from local businesses and schools but more is needed to make sure that families in this area are able to give their children Christmas this year.”

As a church and charity, The Salvation Army expresses its Christian faith by offering friendship, practical help and support to some of the most disadvantaged people in our communities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During the pandemic, Horsham Salvation Army has continued to support the community through online worship services, emergency food provision, and working with other faith groups, schools and other community groups. They have also provided online sessions of parent and toddlers.

Just in the past month more than £3,000 support has been given to homeless people in the area through practical packs for rough sleepers through its Hope In community programme. The programme works with all sorts of people in need - whether it’s an individual facing a crisis, a family in need of a bit more long-term support, or someone forced to sleep rough on the streets.

___________

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.

Related topics: