News Thanks to the generous people of Maidstone making Christmas happen
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), would like to thank the people of Maidstone who have been giving so generously at the Christmas Donation Hub.
Their kindness is helping ten local charities who have been overwhelmed by the amazing donations that so many people have shown.
The Council opened the hub on 13 November, and has already seen over £15,000 worth of donations made. It closes on 12 December so has just under a week left to take in donations. The hub was introduced by MBC in response to the rising cost of living to help make Christmas happen for those who can’t afford to celebrate this year.
The MBC Communications Team, leading the project, has seen some incredible acts of kindness by the people who are coming in to the Christmas Donation Hub and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has given so generously.
Local businesses have also been supporting the hub including Sam Peacock Landscaping who brought in a trolley full of donations worth over £300.
Owner of the company, Sam Peacock said:
“We think it's amazing that Maidstone Borough Council are supporting local charities and helping those who are finding it difficult this time of year. We believe all children deserve to have something to open on Christmas morning and by donating some toys we hope this brings some joy to them this Christmas.”
Rob Foley, Operations Manager at MADM one of the charities who have been receiving donations said:
“Last week we were able to support the Maidstone Family Hub with their Christmas party by donating toys we received from the Donation Hub to the children and families they work with who are really struggling. The free toys allow the families to be able to give to their children this Christmas.“Another client, a single mum with a little girl came to us for help with food and opened up about not knowing how she is going to buy any presents for her daughter. Her face lit up when I asked her to follow me to our Toy Bank. Mum was able to take three toys to wrap for her daughter’s Christmas presents.”
Street Pastor Coordinator Nigel Downes says:
"The generosity of some people is amazing, while we were volunteering in the Hub, a couple came in and asked what was needed; they returned shortly after with a few carrier bags full of stuff for the charities involved. As if that wasn't enough, they came back about half an hour later with even more bags! I hope Maidstone Street Pastors can be involved again next year".
The project, supported by The Mall Maidstone, is being manned by MBC staff and a band of volunteers who have been working hard in the hub.
One of those, is Leader of the Council, Stuart Jeffery who said:
“The team at the Donation Hub has been absolutely amazed at the generosity of the people of Maidstone.“They have heard some very humbling stories from some who have virtually nothing themselves but want to give what they can to help other people.
“Thank you to you all for your incredible kindness, we really appreciate everything that you are doing to help us to support others.”
Working in partnership with The Mall, MBC is hosting the Christmas Donation Hub which is open until Thursday 12 December and is taking in festive gifts, toys, toiletries, household products, food items and more to be shared with local charities who will distribute them to those who may be struggling to afford to celebrate this year.
Located on the lower ground level of The Mall the Maidstone Christmas Donation Hub is open Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm and Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm.
MBC is delighted to be hosting the Christmas Donation Hub and working with The Mall to support so many different local charities who will distribute the donated items to those people who need them most and include:
The charities that the project is supporting include:
- Age UK Maidstone
- Blackthorn Trust
- Family Food Banks
- Fusion Healthy Living Centre
- Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM)
- Maidstone Community Support Centre
- Mid Kent Mind
- St Faiths Community Centre
- The Princess Project
- Trinity Community Centre
- Wishing Hearts
To find out more about the Maidstone Christmas Donation Hub please go to the community pages on the MBC website: https://maidstone.gov.uk/christmas-hub.