With Christmas just around the corner, Millbank staff have been spreading cheer across the community.
We wanted to reach out to those most in need, from young to old, so we took part in a variety of initiatives including donating toys to disadvantaged children, food to those in need, warm clothes to the homeless and an hour of time to the elderly.
Visiting the Elderly - Beechcroft Care Home
Christmas is traditionally about spending time with loved ones, however it can be a lonely time for many, especially the elderly who may not have frequent visitors.
On Thursday 20th December, Millbank staff took time out of their days to visit the residents at Beechcroft Care Home in Runcorn.
One member of staff, Resourcer Kieran Davies, was pleased for the chance to give back to the care home. “Beechcroft cared for my nan in the last few months of her life,” said Kieran. “The staff made it as easy as they possibly could for my family and they deserve recognition for doing all that they do each day.”
“Christmas is about love and spending time with family and friends and is a happy time for most,” added Finance Director Melanie Lunt. “I imagine it is a lonely time for those who don’t have any close loved ones around.”
“I decided to visit the care home in order to reach out to anybody that may feel lonely and hopefully give them reassurance that they are being thought about and remembered at this festive time.”
Halton Christmas Toy Appeal
While many children are busy writing lists of presents to open on Christmas Day, other children are less fortunate. The Halton Christmas Toy Appeal is aimed at helping disadvantaged children aged between 0 and 18 by providing them with toys for Christmas, giving them some joy on Christmas Day.
Our staff generously donated bags of toys and games to the appeal, which were dropped off at the Widnes PureGym collection point. We hope it brightens the Christmas Day of the children they reach.
Before & After! ????????????????
— PureGym Widnes (@PureGym_WIDNES) December 18, 2018
Thank you to all of our amazing members and business neighbours who donated to @HaltonToyappeal this year! Our 1st trolley load of toys has been sent to Santa for wrapping!
Don’t forget, you can still donate with us up until Thurs 10pm ????????#communityspirit pic.twitter.com/vFAXZBLpoj
Clothes for the Homeless - #WarmTheStreets
Poor weather and dropping temperatures make winter the most dangerous time of year for the 4,500 vulnerable people in England sleeping on the streets.
Our staff were inspired by Wire FM’s #WarmTheStreets appeal, a pop-up shop in the local Runcorn Shopping City collecting warm clothes to pass on to homeless people in Runcorn, Widnes and Warrington.
Throughout November and December, the shop was packed with donations, including coats and warm clothes donated by Millbank staff.
Millbank receptionist Laura Mills, who was able to donate several coats to the cause, said “I wanted to give what I could because each item could make such a huge difference to someone who’s fallen on hard times.”
Runcorn District Foodbank
The Runcorn and District Foodbank provides emergency food to people in crisis across the borough. This time of year can be especially tough for those in crisis, and a free hot meal can make a real difference.
We collected donations of non-perishable food items from our staff throughout December and took them to our local Asda’s foodbank drop off point.
Merry Christmas from everyone at Millbank!
