Donations flood in for well-supported Salvation Amry Leighton Buzzard Christmas present appeal

The Salvation Army Leighton Buzzard’s annual Christmas present appeal, which asks for people to donate new toys, gifts, sweets and chocolates for children and young people, from birth to 16 years of age, has meant 275 toy parcels and 70 food parcels will be distributed across the region.

One of the organisers Eleanor Quick said: “It’s gone exceptionally well considering everything going on at the moment with coronavirus. The people of Leighton Buzzard have been very charitable and their efforts have surpassed previous years.

“The food parcels have already been prepared and taken to families who desperately needed them. All the information we get is shared from social services.”

The doors at the Salvation Army citadel in Lammas Walk were open for toy bringing on December 6 and St Leonard’s Church and Stewkley Methodist Church helped cover the shortfall.

The Salvation Army Leighton Buzzard would to thank Wilkinson Partnership Estate Agents, Tesco and the Salvation Army charity shop for their help and collection point assistance this year too.

The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas present appeal started in 2007 nationwide. The first one in Leighton Buzzard collated 59 parcels with this number increasing since. The appeal will run until Christmas Eve for donations.

Over the years, well over 2,500 parcels have been distributed locally, and have been gratefully received by families whose children would no doubt have had very few presents on Christmas morning.