Councillors Making The Difference

A Brighter Christmas for Disadvantaged Children
Wigan Councillors and volunteers have donated £2,550 from the Brighter Borough Initiative to the Wigan Children’s Fund Christmas Appeal.
The appeal distributes presents to disadvantaged children and is supported by the council and run by volunteers.
Many councillors joined forces with local volunteers and got involved in the fundraising. Heinz staff also kindly donated presents to the appeal and the company also donated food for hampers.
Cllr Susan Loudon, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said, “Last year the appeal reached more than 300 households. At present we’ve reached 200, but we’re hoping to help as many as 500 before Christmas!”
The appeal takes referrals before Christmas and volunteers work very hard to deliver gifts to as many of the borough’s disadvantaged families as they can.
"We have more than 250 active volunteers who go to great lengths to support our children and families.” said team manager Jan Lee. “The volunteers are actively involved with the planning, wrapping, and delivery of presents to families who need them the most.
“Without the caring, sharing thoughts of our volunteers a lot of children and young people would otherwise not have very much to smile about during the festive season.”
She added: “The donations made from the Brighter Borough Fund, local businesses and individuals really do make a difference as without these the project would not go ahead."
To celebrate the success, councillors and volunteers will bag all the presents up ready for delivery before Christmas.
· PHOTO – Councillors and volunteers celebrate a great fundraising effort. Pictured are (from left): Viv Wilcox, Trevor Lewis, Lyndsey Stone, Cllr Chris Ready, Cllr Pam Stewart, Cllr Susan Loudon, Cllr Nigel Ash, Jan Lee, Cllr Steven Dawber and Cllr Brian Baldwin.