Sun. Nov 24th, 2024

Christmas Donations Hub asking for your help

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is asking for people to help make Christmas happen for people who are struggling to celebrate this year by donating to a charity hub.

The MBC hub will be opened by The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr John Perry, tomorrow, Thursday 14 November at 11am, and is supporting local charities who will distribute the donated items to those people who need them most.

In partnership with The Mall Maidstone, the Council is running the Christmas Donation Hub again this year, and will be collecting donated festive gifts, decorations, toys and food items for those who may not otherwise be able to afford to celebrate this year.

The Mayor of Maidstone, John Perry said: “The rising cost of living has meant that so many more people are finding it difficult to pay their utility bills, cover the cost of their normal food shopping and don’t have any money left over to spend on festive extras.

“I am so pleased to have been asked to open the MBC Christmas Donation Hub which I hope will be a great success as it was last year thanks to generosity of the people of Maidstone.  If you can help can I ask you to please donate what you can.  On behalf of the Council I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who is able to support the hub in helping to spread some festive cheer this year.”

The Christmas Donation Hub is located on the lower level in The Mall (Unit 101), next to the Gabriels Hill entrance, and will be open to receive donations of new children’s toys (we’re sorry but we are not able to take used or send hand items), festive gifts, Xmas decorations and non-perishable food items.

The charities that the project is supporting include:

  • Age UK Maidstone
  • Blackthorn Trust
  • Family Food Banks
  • Fusion Healthy Living Centre
  • Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM)
  • Maidstone Community Support Centre
  • Mid Kent Mind
  • St Faiths Community Centre
  • The Princess Project
  • Trinity Community Centre
  • Wishing Hearts

The hub, (staffed by volunteers), will run from Thursday 14 November to Thursday 12 December, Monday – Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm and Saturday- 9.30am – 12.30pm.

To find out more about the Maidstone Christmas Family Appeal please go to the community pages on the MBC website: www.maidstone.gov.uk

 

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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