Council's 'heartfelt thanks' for gift donations

The first Christmas presents have been distributed in a Leeds City Council campaign encouraging businesses to gather gifts for struggling families.

In 2023, the Child Friendly Leeds scheme saw £18,600 worth of gifts handed out to more than 2,100 children and young people across the city.

As this year's distributions got under way, more than 100 presents were handed out at a fair at Gipton's Old Fire Station following donations from staff at First Direct.

Helen Hayden from Leeds City Council said: "I'd just like to give my heartfelt thanks to all the businesses who have generously donated to help bring much-needed festive cheer."

Fran Etherington, development manager at the Old Fire Station, said: "With so many of our families living in poverty in this area, people are very limited in what gifts they can afford – and some cannot buy any at all."

North Leeds schools group 2gether Cluster is one of the organisations that gives donated presents to families in need.

Leader Colette Kurylo said the scheme helped to take the stress away from parents and carers.

She said: "We know in the past it's definitely provided gifts to children who would otherwise have gone without and they've been able to go to school after Christmas and tell all their friends about their new toys and treats.

"We don't have any funding to be able to do this kind of thing, so it's really lovely to be part of this initiative and hand out such thoughtful presents to the children."

Park Square Barristers is also among the organisations taking part, offering 100 gifts.

Richard Sadler, senior managing clerk, said: "Our barristers and staff take great pride in providing personalised gifts to support families in Leeds.

"There is a real excitement in the chambers when all the gifts pile up ready to be collected by the Child Friendly Leeds elves."

Presents have also been donated by Trinity Leeds, White Rose Shopping Centre, Lloyds Banking Group, Grammar School at Leeds and Leeds Rhinos.

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