Spread the Christmas spirit with our Care Leavers gift appeal

Residents are being encouraged to help ensure Tameside care leavers have a gift to open on Christmas Day.

Tameside Council supports 375 care leavers, these are young people aged 18 to 25 who have been in care.

The council’s Leaving Care Service are relaunching their Christmas gift appeal for Care Leavers to ensure those who may otherwise not receive a gift have a present to open on Christmas day.

An Amazon wish list has been curated with care leavers, including gifts such as socks, creative sets and cosy clothing - suitable for all budgets.

Gifts can be bought via the Amazon wish list link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/12YR6XU1XE1BO?ref_=wl_share, up until Sunday 15 December.  Items are then posted directly to the Leaving Care Service who will wrap them up and deliver them to young people in time for Christmas.

Alternately, residents can purchase and drop off gifts at Ashton Old Library, Old Street, OL6 7SG, until the same date, Sunday 15 December.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Children and Families Cllr Teresa Smith said: “Christmas is a very special time of year and gives us the opportunity to celebrate with our families and those we love. I am sure that many will have already started thinking about buying presents and at times will even be a little indulgent.

“While you are writing your list, can I ask you once again to consider buying just one small additional gift from the Amazon wish list for our Care Leavers (aged 18-25yrs). It is a great opportunity to show your love to our young people - your generosity will mean a lot and will make a difference this Christmas.”

“I would also like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved in organising the appeal and also thank you for your support, not only at Christmas but throughout the year.”

Any donation, big or small, is hugely appreciated. Tameside’s Care Leavers are extremely grateful for appeals such as this.