Christmas 2024 wrapped up!
We were able to bring extra comfort and joy to families with the support from our community
A Christmas to Remember: Supporting Families in Need
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who supported us through what has been an incredibly busy and rewarding Christmas season for The Welcome Centre. The generosity we’ve seen has been overwhelming—from Christmas presents to festive experiences, all made possible by various organisations, local companies, staff, volunteers, and community donors. Together, we brought joy to disadvantaged children and families facing food crises.
Incredible Donations and Support
This year, we were amazed by the incredible contributions that made such a difference:
- Amazon Xmas Wish List: Countless presents donated by generous individuals.
- Theatre Tickets: Through the Lawrence Batley Theatre’s Christmas Heroes campaign.
- Festive Activities at The Zone: Holiday camp and party spaces for children.
- Preloved Bikes from Street Bikes: Beautifully refurbished bikes for kids.
- A huge selection of toys generously donated from Macs Trucks Staff
The impact of these efforts cannot be overstated. Here’s a closer look at what we achieved together.
Highlights of the Season
Street Bikes
We allocated and delivered 14 preloved/refurbished bikes to 10 families, benefiting 14 children aged 4–8. The feedback was fantastic, with parents expressing heartfelt gratitude.
Parent Feedback:
"Merry Christmas to you, thank you and the entire team for making our Christmas a remarkable one. My kids are extremely happy and said it’s the best Christmas ever. Thank you for putting smiles on our faces. God bless you."
The Zone Festive Party
The Zone offered free spaces for five families (10 children) to attend their festive party. The children enjoyed meeting Santa in the grotto, a disco, multi-sports games, and a free Christmas lunch.
The feedback was amazing, and the children had a fabulous time.
The Zone Christmas Holiday Camps
Six children attended holiday camps over two days, enjoying sports, games, and a free lunch. This opportunity saved families. One family, currently residing in a hotel, shared how the camp ensured their children stayed active and made new friends.
Lawrence Batley Theatre Pantomime
Through the LBT’s Christmas Heroes campaign, we received 60 tickets for the pantomime Dick Whittington, along with free ice cream vouchers. Thirteen families (45 children) attended across two dates. Families were thrilled with the experience.
Parent Feedback:
"Amazing time! We were treated with kindness and respect at every point of service. The show was incredible, and our daughter loved the interaction with the actors. Truly an amazing experience."
"It was our first pantomime, and we’re hooked! Thank you for such a memorable experience."
Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Presents
We organised three weekly drop-ins for families to choose presents for their children aged 0–16. This year, we:
- Distributed 240 presents to over 60 families.
- Provided 11 gift vouchers for teenagers.
- Included gift wrap, books for each child, and pet/parent gifts.
Seeing parents’ gratitude and happy tears made all the hard work worthwhile. Many parents told us we “saved their Christmas” and helped them create a magical experience for their children.
A Season of Impact
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who answered calls, donated presents, helped organise events, and supported our efforts in countless ways. Your contributions made a lasting impact on so many families, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Here’s to another year of making a difference together!
