Care home helps collect 1,000 presents for vulnerable children
More than 1,000 Christmas presents have been donated to vulnerable children thanks to the efforts of a Staffordshire care home.
Darwin Court Care Home, in Lichfield, collected the gifts off members of the community and handed them to a charitable group, called Helping Each Other Lichfield and Surrounding Areas.
The organisation was launched nine months ago, at the start of the pandemic, in a bid to help people struggling during these difficult times.
Layla Chester, 42, from Cannock, a staff member at the care home, said the generous initiative was about giving back to the community.
The care home, based on Wissage Road, was used as a drop-off point for care home staff, their families, and Lichfield residents to donate presents.
She said: "One of our care staff, a lady by the name of Jane, actually contacted Helping Each Other, back in November, to see if we could help and support our local community.
"Obviously, during the pandemic, we have been lucky enough to receive donations from Tesco and Morrisons, some of the big companies, so we just wanted to give something back.
Heart-warming
"We handed over in excess of 1,000 presents. We were listed as a collection point. We have had members of the public, residents' families and our care staff have all donated and contributed as well.
"We have just ordinary families where children have collected their pennies and bought toys for the children.
"It has just been heart-warming really. We have had in excess of one thousand presents. Those are brand new.
"We have also collect presents for a local women's charity, some pre-loved toys, and we have delivered those to them.
"These presents will go to children in need in the local area.
"Helping Each Other was set up nine months ago to help those people that were unable to get prescriptions, food boxes, things like that.
"The group has got designated families where the presents will go to."
