Stockport shoppers and businesses have put in a tree-mendous effort this Christmas as Merseyway’s annual Giving Tree exceeds expectations and provides £85,000 worth of gifts to less fortunate children across the borough.
Organised by the Centre Management team at Merseyway Shopping Centre, the annual Giving Tree invites individuals, businesses, and community groups to participate in fulfilling Christmas gift wishes, by selecting a red tag from a giant white Christmas tree located in the shopping centre, detailing the age, gender, and gift for a local child. Members of the public were then able to purchase the bespoke gifts and drop them at the dedicated collection point located outside Waterstones, ready for the Merseyway team to deliver ahead of Christmas Day.
Taking place from November 14th – December 17th, the Giving Tree has achieved its most successful year to date, with thousands of local people taking part and donating over 10,000 gifts including toys, books, games, pyjamas, slippers and more, ready to be distributed to Stockport schools and charities.
This year’s campaign also saw more businesses participate, with Seven Movement Gym hosting fundraising initiatives to support the campaign, raising £5,225 worth of gifts. British Gas showed their support by hosting their own Giving Tree in their head office, and Stockport County also donated over 100 gifts. Hurst Accountants decided to buy gifts for the initiative instead of a team Secret Santa this year, and Gorvins Solicitors also made generous donations to the initiative, all in support of individuals and families in need across Stockport.
Victoria Nichol, Merseyway Centre Manager said “It’s truly overwhelming to see the level of participation and generosity for this year’s Giving Tree. We’ve never had to replenish the tree as many times before with bespoke tags and personally, I have been floored by the dedication from local businesses this year. I must give a special mention to Seven Movement Gym who hosted dedicated fundraising gym sessions for members and managed to raise over £5,000 for gifts, and Merseyway administrator, Vicky Leicester, for her total dedication to this campaign. I’d also like to thank all the volunteers including Stockport Council and the CBRE team and with the help of kindhearted shoppers and local businesses, we’ve managed to fulfill more Christmas gift wishes this year than ever before.”
As many continue to struggle in the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the Giving Tree initiative brings the local Stockport community together to support those less fortunate during the festive period. This year’s Giving Tree supported 11 schools across Stockport, local homeless shelters, local youth groups, women in refuge and local charities Chelwood Foodbank Plus and Emmie’s Kitchen.
