Help for Horsham families through The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal

This Christmas The Salvation Army will again be helping hundreds of children and their families as well as other people in need across Horsham and surrounding areas by providing them with new toys, gifts and food vouchers to help make Christmas Day Special.

 The Salvation Army is calling on the community to share love and hope this Christmas by donating to its Christmas Present Appeal to help give local children a Christmas they deserve.  They are asking people to donate new toys and gifts for children whose families are already making impossible choices between food, heating, and bills.  

 All the families are referred to The Salvation Army 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.  

 Last year, thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses, Horsham Salvation Army distributed gifts and food vouchers to 231 families, supporting 840 individuals with the church and charity fearing more people will need support this year. 

 Salvation Army church leader, Lieutenant Rachel Abbott said: “Christmas should be a time of happiness and excitement for children, but for families struggling to make ends meet, it can bring added worry and pressure. When money is already stretched between essentials such as food, heating and household bills, buying presents can feel out of reach.

“Our Christmas Present Appeal is a way for the community to come together and share some of that joy with families who are finding things difficult. Every gift donated is a practical expression of love and kindness, and helps a child feel remembered and included at Christmas.

“We want to say a big thank you to everyone who supports us, including this year to Dunelm who are providing an additional place for gifts to be dropped off at their store in Horsham.

“We are always touched by the generosity of local people and businesses, and so grateful for the difference they make. We hope the community will get behind the appeal again this year and help us bring a little extra happiness to children and families across Horsham.”

 The church on Booth Way, near Horsham train station, will be collecting donations of new unwrapped toys and gifts from the 1st November until 18th December. There is a particular need for gifts for children aged 9 and over. The team have already purchased gift vouchers for the older teenagers, who are the hardest to buy for, so financial donations towards those would be very helpful.

 People can drop their generous contribution at The Salvation Army, Booth Way, Horsham, RH13 5PZ (weekdays 9am,-2pm, or by arrangement), or financial donations can be given by post, popping in to see the team, or at  www.salvationarmy.org.uk/horsham.

 This year, Dunelm in Horsham, have chosen us as one of their Christmas charities, and are providing a donation station for us, where gifts can also be dropped off in their shop, if more convenient for local people.

 A team of Salvation Army volunteers will sort and distribute the gifts to children and families in the area through local groups, schools, and social services. 

 Gifts can include anything from educational toys, bath toys, books, including learn to read books (for babies and toddlers), to dolls and action figures, sports equipment, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, and hair accessories. 

 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. To help support The Salvation Army’s year-round work please visit: salvationarmy.org.uk/donate 

 In Horsham, Lieutenant Abbott and her team run support programmes for vulnerable adults and families throughout the year. These could be people facing homelessness or hunger, families dealing with hardship, victims of domestic abuse and modern slavery, people who are ill, grieving, or desperately lonely – The Salvation Army reaches out to all of them with unstinting friendship and practical, professional help. Its food bank is in urgent need of donations all year round.  

 More information about the Christmas Present Appeal and ideas about gifts, is available at: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal or by contacting The Salvation Army in Horsham on 01403 254624.