Gift appeal to help local families feeling the pinch

A group of Leek businesses are once again clubbing together to raise money and gift donations for a local appeal for families feeling the pinch in difficult times.

Dave Swarbrook and Mark Brammar, from the business networking group Fox Networking, are again coordinating the appeal along with the Fox & Crow Gallery. This year the appeal has also received the welcome support of Buxton & Leek College. The gifts will be donated to an annual appeal at Haregate Community Centre, from where they will be distributed.

As well as gift donations, the pair are hoping to purchase gifts donated cash from independent retailers in Leek who have offered generous discounts to make the money stretch even further.

Dave Swarbrook said: “This is our fifth year of gift donations to the Haregate Community Appeal. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis means that the economic outlook is even gloomier putting even more pressure on struggling families. Businesses and individuals have been incredibly generous in the past with over £500 raised last year.”

Laura Cottingham, manager at Haregate Community Centre added: “We have contact through the centre with many families who are barely managing financially due to spiralling prices and inflation.

“We collect gifts for children and young adults each year so that no one feels left out at Christmas. Last year the concerted effort from Dave and Mark’s appeal made made a fantastic addition to our total. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved to help make Christmas special for so many local families.”

Anyone wanting to donate gifts can drop them at the Fox & Crow Gallery at the Foxlowe Arts Centre.

Or you can donate money at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/FoxXmas23

Photo: Dave Swarbrook and Mark Brammar during last year’s appeal