Council launches annual Christmas gift appeal

Article date: 17 October 2025

For the past 15 years, St Helens Borough Council has run a gift appeal for children aged from birth to 21 years (care leavers) 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 more than £6,500 being raised as well as hundreds of gifts to be shared out between more than 850 children and young people.

St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Nova Charlton, said:

"The response to our annual appeal year-on-year is phenomenal and the generosity of the people, businesses and organisations in our borough never ceases to amaze me.

"We know that we are still in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis which is affecting everyone. However, we're once again asking that we come together this Christmas and make it a special one for all children in the true spirit of our #StHelensTogether and #LoveStHelens mantra.

"Contributions - no matter how big or small - 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."

There are four ways residents, local businesses and organisations can support the appeal:

Make a cash donation online - any donations will be put towards purchasing gifts for children and young people

Donating gifts directly to a designated drop-off point - these can be toys, clothing, confectionary, gifts cards and toiletries. Cash cannot be accepted at drop-off points

Have your workplace donate to the gift appeal rather than take part in Secret Santa

Businesses can become a drop off point for donations from the public

Items particularly sought include new toys, books, clothing, gift vouchers, confectionery, toiletry gift sets, and cash donations. Contributions of gifts for babies and teenage boys are especially encouraged, as demand for these age groups has increased in previous years.

For more information, including a full list of drop-off points, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/christmasgiftappeal