With Christmas fast approaching Basildon Council has teamed up with the Eastgate shopping centre to collect gifts for the women’s refuge, homeless hostel and food banks in the borough.
Shoppers are being encouraged to buy one extra gift, or food item, or piece of warm clothing to donate to those less fortunate in our community.
Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Chairman of the Policy and Resources committee, donated the first gift at the Basildon Centre, “It is very important at this time of year, that we take a moment to think of those in our community for whom Christmas isn’t always a joyous event.
“There are children and families who, through various circumstances, are unable to celebrate the festivities in the way they would love to. So we invite people to help make those Christmases a bit brighter. It is little for us but could mean everything to families who might have been victims of domestic abuse or have found themselves homeless.”
Gifts should not be wrapped and can be donated up until the 13 December at:
Eastgate Shopping Centre, next to Santa’s grotto
Basildon Centre reception
Wat Tyler Centre
The Place , Pitsea
Gifts that are particularly welcome are:
Quality clothing
Unused or ‘nearly new’ toys, games and books (including items suitable for teenagers)
Non-perishable food items
Christmas food items with a long shelf life like Christmas puddings, chocolate selection boxes.
