At S&G Response, we firmly believe that Christmas isn’t just about celebrating with our teams; it’s about charity and giving back to the community, ensuring the magic of Christmas reaches those who need it most.
This year, from 18th November through to 18th December, we’re thrilled to be supporting three incredible causes: The Salvation Army, the Wellspring and The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, and with each initiative reflecting the spirit of generosity and care that defines S&G Response, we’re inviting everyone to join us in making a difference this Christmas.
Here’s how:
1. Toy Appeal For The Salvation Army
Established in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth, the Salvation Army has been a cornerstone of social service and community support for over 150 years, and whilst it was originally founded to serve the poor and disenfranchised in London, the organisation now operates globally to provide assistance to those in need regardless of background or circumstance.
Their Christmas Toy Appeal is one of their many initiatives aimed at bringing joy to families facing financial hardship, which involves collecting and distributing toys to children who might otherwise go without.
In doing so, the Salvation Army ensures that the festive spirit reaches even the most vulnerable members of society, and at S&G, we’re committed to helping this cause by collecting toys for boys and girls aged 3 to 15 years and encouraging our team and the wider community to pick up an extra gift during their shopping trips.
These small gestures can create priceless moments for children and their families, helping spread joy during the festive season, so if you’re able to contribute, consider donating a toy in excellent condition or a brand-new item to our drop-off point at St Ann’s House in Wilmslow.
Together, we can bring smiles to young faces this Christmas and support the incredible work the Salvation Army continuously provide to those in our communities who need it most.
2. Rucksack Appeal For The Wellspring
Based in Stockport, the Wellspring was founded in 1991 with a mission to tackle homelessness and provide support for individuals at risk, and this incredible charity offers a range of services including access to hot meals, healthcare, housing advice and employment support for those in need today.
The Rucksack Appeal is one of their key seasonal initiatives, which aims to provide essential items to help people facing the cold winter months by filling a rucksack with practical items such as sleeping bags, gloves, hats, scarves, socks and toiletries, all of which can make a world of difference to someone sleeping rough.
These kits function as both a physical and emotional lifeline, offering warmth, comfort and a reminder that they are not forgotten, and at S&G, we’re so proud to support the Wellspring’s vital work.
This Christmas, we’re encouraging our teams to contribute a filled rucksack or individual items that can be packed into a bag, in the effort to ensure that no one is left out in the cold and without the essential items they need.
3. The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust
The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) is based at the beautiful Booth Bank Farm, a 17th Century farmhouse set in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. This amazing organisation provide a variety of free opportunities to terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the North West.
This year, we’ve partnered with CAFT to expand our efforts in collecting toys for children, and similar to our initiative with the Salvation Army, this appeal focuses on ensuring that every child has a present to open on Christmas Day.
In addition to this, the S&G team will be volunteering at CAFT’s Winter Woodland where every child in attendance will get to meet Father Christmas and take home a present! Volunteering at these events brings us joy all year round and we are proud to give back to our community.
By teaming up with CAFT, we aim to combine the power of our networks to spread festive cheer far and wide and bring so many local initiatives together to help our communities this Christmas.
Spreading Festive Cheer
It’s our belief here at S&G Response that spreading Christmas spirit is about coming together as a community to uplift those who need support, and whether that’s through helping a child experience the magic of Christmas or providing warmth and comfort to someone facing a cold night, our Christmas appeals reflect our commitment to making a positive impact.
We’re immensely proud of our team for embracing these initiatives, and we’re grateful to everyone who has already contributed or plans to do so, as each donation, no matter how small, plays a part in making this season brighter for someone in need.
Get Involved!
If you’d like to participate in our Christmas appeals, here’s how you can help:
- Toy donations: drop off a new or gently used toy suitable for children aged 3 to 15 years at our Wilmslow office
- Rucksack appeal: fill a rucksack with essential items such as warm clothing, sleeping bags or toiletries and bring it to our collection point
- Spread the word: share our appeals with friends, family, and colleagues to help us reach even more people
Drop-off location: S&G Response, St Ann’s House, Wilmslow, SK9 1HG, Monday to Friday, 09:00 – 17:30
A Community United
Christmas is a time to reflect on the values of kindness and generosity, and through these appeals, our S&G Response teams hope to inspire our community to come together and make a meaningful difference.
Your contribution matters, so let’s work together to make this Christmas special for everyone, ensuring that the festive spirit touches every corner of our community.