Make a young person’s Christmas special with our Care Leavers gift appeal

Residents are being urged to help Tameside’s care leavers enjoy their Christmas by buying them a present.

Tameside Council’s Leaving Care Service have brought back their gift appeal for another year for their young people who may otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas morning.

The council supports 538 care leavers, who are people aged 18 to 25 who have been in care.

An Amazon wishlist has been created with the care leavers themselves, featuring items with a range of prices - so anyone can get involved no matter their budget.

The wishlist can be found at https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2E51GOM05JITN?ref_=wl_share and includes gifts such as blankets, toiletries, stationery, and craft sets.

The deadline for purchases is 5 December, after which items are posted directly to the Leaving Care Service who will wrap them up and gift them to the young people in time for Christmas.

Alternatively, residents can purchase and drop off gifts at Ashton Old Library, Old Street, OL6 7SG, also until 5 December.

A Tameside care leaver said: “It’s really nice to see the council caring for their care leavers.

“Christmas can be a cold and lonely time for a lot of us, some of us wake up in an empty home.

“Even the smallest gift can remind us someone has been/is thinking of us. Kindness means a lot.”

Tameside Council Executive Member for Children and Families Cllr Teresa Smith said: “Christmas is a happy time and it should be no different for our care leavers. We take the privilege of opening gifts every year for granted, but without your help our care leavers may have nothing to unwrap on 25 December.

“By buying just one extra gift this year, you can ensure these young people feel loved and appreciated. Your kindness will truly make a big difference.

“It’s such a simple process – just a few clicks and you’ll have such a positive impact.

“I’m so proud of everyone involved in this heartwarming scheme and would like to thank everyone who takes part.”