WITH one more sleep to go, there is no better way to welcome Christmas than to look back at the feel-good festivities that have happened in our borough.
In the lead up to the first Christmas without lockdown restrictions, there have been many events held in the community, including festive fairs, Christmas lights switch-ons, Santa Dashes, and many, many more.
Despite a difficult year of financial strain on households due to the cost-of-living crisis, the people of St Helens borough have still shown their generosity through countless donations, toy appeals, and festive fundraisers.
To count us down to the big day, here are three heart-warming stories that show the true meaning of Christmas.
Schoolkids donate Christmas presents to the homeless at Hope House
It has become a tradition for 10-year-old Mason Hill, from Haydock, to give to the less fortunate, as he donated presents to the Salvation Army last year.
This year, the Legh Vale primary pupil and his mum Sharon and cousin Ellie Turner, of Outwood Academy, spent five weeks collecting dozens of gifts from supermarkets in St Helens, which included hats, scarves, toiletries, and confectionary, to be dropped off at Hope House on Corporation Street.
The cousins visited the homeless hub on Wednesday, December 21, with their gesture bringing people to tears.
READ > Schoolkids donate Christmas presents to the homeless at Hope House
Christmas elf finds allergic young girl a gift at Rainford Fayre
Luna Donnellan-Brown, from Rainford, has an "enormous list" of allergies, meaning she often misses out on food and experiences that her friends and family are able to have.
Whilst at Rainford Christmas Fayre on Saturday, December 3, a Christmas elf spotted Luna and made it their mission to find the young girl a special present.
After searching around the fayre, the woman found a handmade and festive Mickey Mouse headband to brighten Luna's day before she went into Santa's Grotto.
READ > Christmas elf makes sure young girl 'who misses out on a lot' gets a festive gift
Youngster turns Seneley Green Christmas lights on after cancer project
After learning of his mum's cancer diagnosis, 11-year-old Charlie Heslin tried his best to keep positive and began collecting easter eggs for the people who cared for his mum, as well as other cancer patients, at the Lilac Centre in St Helens.
Following the response from his Easter appeal, Charlie was determined to continue his project by collecting selection boxes for cancer sufferers at the Lilac Centre this Christmas, as well as for further cancer hospices Christie's and Maggie’s Centres.
Praised by the community for his "amazing" efforts, Charlie was invited to perform the Christmas lights switch-on in Seneley Green in November.
READ > Boy turns Christmas lights switch on after brave mission for mum with cancer
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