Christmas gift giveaway for families in need boosted by Northampton Town Council grant
A Northampton-based charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable families has received a grant of £6,500 from Northampton Town Council to help fund its Christmas gift giveaway appeal this December.
Restore Northampton’s ‘Growbaby Great Gift Giveaway’ initiative ensures that children and families facing financial hardship still experience the joy and dignity of giving and receiving gifts at Christmas, regardless of their circumstances.
Through a specially organised Christmas Boutique, parents and carers choose and wrap high-quality gifts, with the charity also hosting an inclusive community Christmas party that brings hundreds of families together.
This year, Restore Northampton expects to support at least 200 children and their families through the gift giveaway. Every gift is chosen with care, helping to bring hope and joy to families at a time when it matters most.
The funding was awarded from the town council’s General Community Grants Scheme and Councillors’ Community Fund, to cover the cost of gifts, wrapping and distribution.
Cllr Keith Holland-Delamere, Chair of the Community Services Committee at Northampton Town Council, said: “We are delighted to support Restore Northampton’s Gift Giveaway, and we hope this funding will help bring some happiness to families who need it most this Christmas.
“The town council is committed to helping local organisations to deliver projects and activities that have a lasting social impact at both a neighbourhood level and for a larger geographical area. I encourage people to get in touch if they have an idea they would like some support with."
Restore Northampton aims to reducing hardship and restore hope through a range of year-round services - including its foodbank and Growbaby programme - alongside seasonal campaigns such as the Growbaby Great Gift Giveaway. The charity works with local agencies, schools, faith groups, and partners to identify and support those families most at risk of disadvantage.
Anya Willis, Chief Executive of Restore Northampton, said: “We are truly grateful to Northampton Town Council as well as Councillors Gary Campbell, Enam Haque and Fartun Ismail for their generous support of our Growbaby Great Gift Giveaway.
“Their funding makes it possible for Restore Northampton to reach even more families facing hardship, helping to bring hope, joy, and dignity to children across our community this festive season. By working together, we are creating a kinder, stronger Northampton, ensuring that no child is left out at Christmas.”
Families who accessed last year’s gift giveaway provided positive feedback about the project’s impact, describing how it took away so much stress and guilt, and meant that their children didn’t go without, even in the midst of acute financial struggles.
Northampton Town Council’s grant schemes are designed to help local groups, charities and organisations to run projects and activities at both a neighbourhood and wider level.
The Councillor Community Fund is open to applicants with the support of their ward councillor for projects and events costing up to £2,000 that will enhance the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their local area.
The General Community Grants scheme offers up to £10,000 and is open to local groups, charities and organisations whose objectives benefit a greater proportion of Northampton rather than specific areas. There is also a Climate Change Grant scheme for projects that aim to combat the impact of global warming locally.
Visit the Restore website for more information about the Growbaby Great Gift Giveaway: www.restorenorthampton.org.uk
Details about Northampton Town Council’s grants can be found on the council’s website: www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/grants