THE Coffee House is one of several points across St Helens where people can drop off Christmas presents for children who may go without on December 25.

The venue on Church Street, which has community at its heart, is one of the town centre's drop off points for St Helens Council’s Christmas Gift Appeal.

People can place new toys at the site any time from 8am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday and from 9.30am to 4pm on Sundays.

'I'm so impressed with how much has been given already'

Manager Vic Collier said: “When St Helens Council called and asked us to be a drop-off point for gifts for children and young people from newborns to 21 years olds then we agreed to do it of course and it’s been going really well.

“I am actually so impressed at how much everyone has given so much already, we’ve had to contact the council to ask them to collect it so we have more space to accept even more.

“It’s been lovely to see people come in and see the sign and even the other day two women left the Coffee House and went to the Works and bought gifts and dropped them off. So it’s alerting more people to the appeal too.”

We are asking kind-hearted residents, businesses and organisations to come together to help us plan to make Christmas 2024 extra special for some of the borough's most disadvantaged children and young people.

Appeal has run for 14 years

Since 2010, St Helens Borough Council has run a gift appeal for children aged from birth to 21 years at risk of waking up on Christmas Day without a present.

During that time, tens of thousands of items have been donated, with last year's appeal alone resulting in gifts being shared out between more than 800 children and young people - including care leavers.

The response to previous appeals has been "phenomenal and the results have spoken for themselves", says the council.

Last year, more than £4,500 was raised, plus gifts and other items donated from businesses, schools and residents.

The local authority says that it knows the country is in  the midst of a cost-of-living crisis which is affecting everyone.

In a statement, the council said: "We know times are hard for many individuals, families, and businesses right now, but I would urge those in a position to do so, to make a contribution - no matter how big or small - as it can certainly go a long way in making someone's Christmas a happy one and supports our key priority as a council of ensuring all children have a positive start in life.

"As part of our appeal, we are asking if local business and organisations would be able to, not only support the appeal with a donation, but also offer to be a drop off point where donations for the appeal could be left."

How businesses can help

There are four ways businesses can this Christmas:

  • Make a cash donation online - any donations will be put towards purchasing gifts for children and young people
  • Donating gifts directly - these can be toys, clothing, confectionary, gifts cards etc
  • Have your workplace donate to the gift appeal rather than take part in Secret Santa
  • Become a drop off point for donations from the public

The council added: "Items we are looking for in particular include new toys, books and clothing; gift vouchers, confectionery, toiletry gift sets and cash donations will also be most welcome.

"In previous years we have experienced a growing demand for gifts for babies and teenagers so we ask if consideration could be given to these ages too."

For more information, go to sthelens.gov.uk/article/6964/Christmas-Gift-Appeal-2024