As Rochdale’s beloved “Giving Back” Christmas Toy Appeal launches for its eleventh year, local leaders and Council staff are encouraging the community to support the growing number of children in need.
The staff-run appeal, led by Rochdale Borough Council’s “Giving Back” charity, provides Christmas presents to disadvantaged children, ensuring they have a gift to open on Christmas Day. Last year, over 6,000 toys were distributed to families across Rochdale, helping to brighten the holiday season for many.
Rochdale MP Paul Waugh raised the campaign’s importance in Parliament, where he was joined by Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell in thanking Council staff, including the appeal’s founder, Helen Walton, for her ongoing dedication.
Addressing Parliament, Mr Waugh emphasised the critical need for this appeal, as nearly 50% of children in Rochdale now live in relative poverty.
“Rochdale’s ‘Giving Back’ Christmas Toy Appeal ensures that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have a present to open on Christmas Day,” said Mr Waugh. “But with nearly half of children in Rochdale affected by poverty, a robust government child poverty strategy is essential to prevent children from going without — not just at Christmas, but all year round.”
Ms Powell expressed gratitude for the Council’s efforts, saying she thanked “all the Rochdale Council staff and Helen Walton for their work on what sounds like an extremely good campaign. He is right, it is a shame on our country that so many children still live in poverty, without presents at Christmas and, in many cases, without food on the table. That is why we formed the child poverty taskforce. We are determined to reduce these inequalities and ensure that the scourge of child poverty is eradicated.”
To support the appeal, community members are encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped gift suitable for a child up to 16 years old. Donations can be left at local libraries, YourTrust leisure centres, Rochdale Riverside, RRG Toyota on Edinburgh Way, or Crown Oil Arena until Friday, 13 December 2024.
Gifts for babies and teenagers are especially welcome, as they were underrepresented in donations last year.