In a real life Christmas Carol, businesses across Manchester are donating toys to an appeal to ensure every child in the city wakes up with a gift on Christmas morning.
The Key 103 Cash for Kids appeal is urging Mancunian’s to buy one extra present, to help them in their aim of providing presents for children living in poverty.
Last year over £1.3million was raised in donations to buy presents for more than 32,000 children across Greater Manchester.
Around 150,000 children live in poverty in Manchester alone with many of their parents unable to afford to buy them presents.
Watch MM’s Chloe Taylor and Joe Oliver chat to Topshop’s Sophie Johnson (additional filming Loughlan Campbell):
Cash for Kids also provide much needed presents for children in care and hospices, ensuring that they do not miss out on a happy Christmas.
Workers at the Manchester Arndale branch of Topshop have been collecting presents under the Christmas tree in their staff room.
Sophie Johnson, Shoe Sales Adviser at Topshop, said: “We normally do Secret Santa so I thought instead of us giving presents for each other we’d do it for someone less fortunate.
“Christmas is a time for giving. People are quite fortunate at Christmas time.
“It has a lot of support across Manchester. This morning on Key103 Radio somebody rang up £200,000 worth of toys.”
The appeal is eager for any new or unwanted gifts which can be dropped off at the Arco Warehouse, Tenax Circle in Trafford Park Manchester, M17 1EZ.
The Warehouse closes at 5pm on Thursday December 18 so get your presents there by then if you want Santa’s elves to wrap them in time.
You can also donate online at https://www.cashforkidsdashboard.co.uk/manchester/
Image courtesy of Robert Wade, with thanks.
