Sandwell Council held a celebration breakfast recently to thank partners and local businesses that donated to a children’s Christmas gift campaign.

On Thursday 18 January, around 45 people attended a morning event at the Sandwell Start-Up Hub in Oldbury. Sandwell Council hosted it to say thank you for the 300+ gifts donated to Sandwell Children’s Trust’s Christmas Toy appeal. 

Recognising that many local children would receive few, if any, Christmas presents in 2023, Sandwell Council appealed to partners and local businesses to donate new toys and gifts to Sandwell Children’s Trust Christmas gift campaign.

These could include items suitable for newborn babies, appropriate toys for children of various ages, and fragrance, vouchers, hats or scarves for older teenagers.

Sandwell Council’s partners and business community responded with generosity, donating more than 300 gifts. These included ‘social value’ partners of the council, recognised for their commitment to ensuring the work they do in Sandwell has social or environmental benefits that extend beyond the scope of their contracts.

The thoughtful businesses dropped their gifts off in Oldbury by late November, giving staff at Sandwell Children’s Trust time to wrap and distribute them before Christmas to the most vulnerable children and young people that they are working with in Sandwell.

Councillor Peter Hughes is Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and West Midlands Combined Authority. He presented each participating business with a certificate of thanks. Peter said:

“It made me very proud to see our colleagues going the extra mile for the borough’s children – and I’m impressed with the businesses who rose to the challenge in supporting this campaign.

“Social value is important to Sandwell Council, and this has reinforced my belief that even in tough times we have caring partners and a business community willing to do more for people.”

Jackie Hodgkins is Communications Manager for Sandwell Children’s Trust. She added: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to help put smiles on children and young people’s face this Christmas.

“Particularly for the vulnerable children in Sandwell who may not get a gift this year without the generosity of those who donate. 

“Thanks to everyone for their support and know that you are all making a massive difference to children’s lives.”