Buxton Lions launch Christmas present appeal for hard-up families

The volunteer group say this year gifts will be needed ‘more than ever’ as ordinary families find themselves out of work and unable to splash out due to the pandemic.

Those able to spare a gift can drop it off at Spring Gardens’ Nottingham Building Society from where it will be distributed by community support group Buxton Street by Street.

David Brindley, Buxton Lions secretary, told how the club’s Reverse Santa appeal was named as such because it asked people to ‘give instead of receiving’.

He said: “The moral behind Christmas is that it’s a time to give - that’s really the spirit of Christmas.

“And what we know now is that there are families who would normally be buying great presents for their kids but won’t be able to this year after losing jobs.

“There will be even more families than ever finding themselves in difficulties this year.”

Gifts and presents should be unused and unwrapped due to Covid-19 safety measures and donors should aim to provide not just for small children but for teens as well.

Buxton Lions, who have organised the appeal for many years, will also work with social services to make sure hard-up children in the borough receive a present on December 25.

As well as organising the appeal the community group will boost all gifts received with store vouchers.

The appeal runs from November 27 right up until December 21.

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