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It’s a wrap! Leicester charity scoops new base at Highcross
Charity offers to help Father Christmas at his busiest time of the year and wraps gifts
Long-running charity Leicester Children’s Holidays has set up shop in at Highcross Leicester, just in time for Christmas. Securing the new unit, right in the heart of the city, heralds a new era for the charity which used to be called Leicester Children’s Holidays Centre (Mablethorpe). It has been taking disadvantaged children on free holidays since 1898. It is full of charity memorabilia, including old photographs and the original – and fondly remembered - Rudolph figure dating back to 1950. It is the first time anyone has been able to see these artefacts displayed in one place.The new shop and offices, at 26 Shires Walk, next to the Post Office and opposite Zara, will serve as a modern showcase for the charity and, on the run-up to December 25, will offer a gift-wrapping service to take the strain off busy families out shopping. We are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm.
All the charity asks is if the people who have their presents wrapped give a donation to help it continue its vital work.The charity is also looking for volunteers to help wrap Christmas presents for families and spread some festive cheer.
Leicester Children’s Holidays’ manager Nicky Kandola said: “We are so excited about this move which will mean we are more visible than ever, right in the brilliant Highcross Leicester.
“We are offering to wrap gifts for anyone so the parents can give them to Santa Claus and need more volunteers to offer a few hours to help us. Gift-wrapping skills are a bonus, yes, but training will be given and it will be a lovely fun time as everyone gets Christmas-y on the countdown to the big day.
“We give children life-changing experiences on our holidays and help them get away from their problems. This is a new venture for us and a new direction. We want the community to come and meet us and learn about the work we do.
“We are so grateful to Highcross Leicester who saw our vision and agreed to be part of this. They have done so much to make it possible.”
Jo Tallack, general manager at Highcross Leicester, added: “Leicester Children's Holidays is a hugely important project which will not only offer a lovely festive service at Highcross, but also raise funds to support vulnerable young people around Leicestershire. We hope our shoppers will pay them a visit and help to raise money for this very worthwhile cause.”
Charity committee member Steven Sansom, former chairman of Dominoes Toys in Leicester’s High Street, has donated 11,900 metres of gift wrap, and even a special high table for the army of wrappers. Charity trustees, committee members, staff and volunteers will get involved.
Leicester Children’s Holidays provides free respite breaks for children aged 8 to 11 from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland who may face difficult circumstances at home. They may live in a low-income family, have suffered a bereavement, be a child carer looking after a parent or sibling or need a break for a host of other reasons. For decades, the charity helped children have fun on free holidays at its centre in Mablethorpe. In its history, it has offered more than 60,000 holidays to needy children. It costs £400 to take each child on holiday.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to wrap gifts should contact Leicester Children’s Holidays on 0116 251 9863 or via email on hello@leicesterchildrensholidays.co.uk
https://leicesterchildrensholidays.co.uk/blog/