YMCA Robin Hood Group has been blown away by the incredible levels of generosity shown by local community members and businesses this Christmas!
Numerous local people and corporate organisations have risen to the challenge of helping our youth charity generate gifts and donations to ensure every YMCA resident can enjoy a lovely Christmas feast and has a present to open on Christmas morning.
Gifts have so far ranged from delicious treats, toiletries and kitchenware to notebooks, wellbeing care products and activities to boost morale of individuals who may not have family or a support network to visit over the festive season.
Heartfelt thank you
We have been touched by the heartfelt compassion shown by our local neighbourhoods. In addition to thanking and recognising the deeply valued input of our wonderful community champions, a big shout out goes to the following organisations:
- SEWA Day charity, led by Hetvi, who smashed it out of the park for the second year in a row by donating 150 thoughtful shoeboxes for every resident living at our Nottingham city centre supported housing;
- Southwell Women’s Group and Newark Palace Theatre and National Civil War Centre donated a lovely array of gifts, along with Palace Presents’ community drive;
- 400 blankets donated by Landmarc Solutions will help keep our residents warm this winter;
- Carlton Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Goole’s fantastic contributions have gone a long way to empowering residents living at our supported housing in Nottingham, York and East Riding;
- Changemakers (part of NCS) donated a whole care worth of gifts for at-risk young people living in our children’s residential care homes;
- The Skinny Food Co. kindly gave 610 snack pots and Ketchup bottles to add some flavour to the festivities across Nottinghamshire;
Sports Direct sportingly donated 40 thermal pants and 80 stylish black beanies which will go down a treat;- Morrisons in Netherfield, whose team generously donated a wonderful array of festive treats!
- Tesco in Beeston secured £200 in funding to kindly support our winter appeal and YMCA will be using the money to purchase various presents for formerly homeless individuals;
- YMCA Gym’s ‘Throwback Week’ fundraiser also generated an extra 38 presents!
Meanwhile, Swinefleet Primary School in Goole asked our YMCA to be one of their nominated Christmas charities for their ‘Angel Tree’. This involves parents, children and staff choosing to donate an item for the charity’s residents. Our YMCA York and East Riding team has invited the school to come along to gift the items in person so they can meet some of the residents who will be benefitting from their generosity.
Thanks to all of this amazing support, our YMCA Housing team is in a position to deliver a dynamic programme of fun festive activities over Christmas to help boost morale and wellbeing during a time that is often difficult for many of our vulnerable service users.
There’s still time to donate!
If you know anyone who would like to contribute a gift or monetary donation, our supported housing is still warmly welcoming any offerings at your local YMCA Housing reception or by making a donation online to our 150th Anniversary Winter Appeal below.