Charities in Bolton are getting into the festive spirit of giving for the most vulnerable ahead of the town’s annual Christmas events.
Volunteers from Bolton Society for Blind People (BSBP) will be rolling their sleeves up to raise money at the Mayor’s Fair for a new resource centre for blind adults.
Cancer sufferers will also benefit from a stall manned by Bolton Hospice which will sell Christmas cards, calendars and soft toys to build funds.
Pupils from St James CE High School, in Farnworth, have also made Christmas decorations to sell at the Christmas Market on December 12 and 13.
While youngsters from Bolton Lads and Girls club will design, package and make fudge and hand-made jam from scratch and sell reindeer flannels and Christmas wreaths.
The young people will sell the products at the Christmas market on December 14.
An excited Gabriella Guarino, Enterprise Youth Worker, at Bolton Lads and Girls Club, aimed at youngsters aged 8-25, said: It’s a great learning experience for our young people.
“We’ve got lots of pre-orders already, so make sure you get down to Bolton markets and get your home made jams and fudge!”
The enterprise scheme aims to provide youngsters with the skills needed to get into future employment.
A spokesperson for Bolton Society for Blind People, one of the charities chosen for the Mayor’s fair, said: “We are extremely proud and honoured to have been chosen as one of the Mayor’s charities this year and this will be the third year running now for us attending the Mayor’s Fair.
“The event is a great opportunity for charities to raise a little money but also to start the Christmas celebrations early and raise awareness of the good work that they do within the community.
Stephanie Lacaille, Community Fundraiser for Bolton Hospice agreed, saying: “We’re truly grateful to be chosen as one of the benefiting charities as part of the Mayor’s charity appeal.
“As a charity we have to raise £2.5 million per year to provide our services to people in Bolton with cancer and non-cancer life limiting illnesses, and we couldn’t do it without the support of the local community”.
On Saturday morning (November 30), the Mayors Fair will officially mark the start of the town’s annual festive entertainment programme, which includes charity stalls, Christmas gifts, games and a Santa’s Grotto.
Entry is free for the event at the Town Hall which starts at 11am and runs till 2pm.
While December 12 will see the start of the Christmas Market in Newport Street which will feature 20 traders and last for four days till December 16.
Image courtesy of Frank Green, with thanks
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