News release
01 November 2019

merseyflow customers and staff kick-start Halton Christmas Toy Appeal

Local children across Halton are set to benefit from the Christmas Toy Appeal thanks to merseyflow customers and staff.

Toys are starting to be dropped off by customers and staff at merseyflow’s walk-in centre in Runcorn for the popular appeal.

The aim of the appeal is to make sure less fortunate children from across Halton all have something to enjoy this Christmas.

Since it first launched five years ago, over 300 local children aged from 0 to 18 have benefited from the Halton Christmas Toy Appeal. The team is predicting that 2019 will be its most successful collection yet, with a £200 donation from merseyflow kick-starting the appeal.

Helen Williams, Marketing Manager at merseyflow, said: “We’re proud to be going into our second year supporting the Halton Christmas Toy Appeal. Our team decided to bring in toys for the Appeal because it is a really important cause, a charity right at the heart of our community and we feel that our continued support really helps. There is a drop-off point at our walk-in centre and we’ve already had customers and staff adding to the collection, so we’re hopeful that 2019 will be our best year yet for money raised and donations made.”

The inspirational woman behind the Halton Christmas Toy Appeal is Widnes-based Nicky Woodward. The self-employed mum of four takes five weeks off work in the run-up to Christmas every year to run the charity and is overjoyed that the merseyflow team are continuing to support the charity.

Nicky said: “I set up the Halton Christmas Toy Appeal because I wanted to do something to make sure that every child right here in Halton has something to brighten up their Christmas and I’m so pleased that it’s now in its fifth year.

“All of the toys and every penny of any money collected will go to help make Christmas special for less fortunate children here in Halton who otherwise might not have very much to celebrate. I’d like to thank everyone who is supporting the appeal – it really will make a difference.”

Any toys donated need to be new and unopened. You can donate at merseyflow’s Walk-in Centre, 9 Howard Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WAS 1SJ until Thursday 12 December between 9am to 7pm Mon to Fri and 9am to 6pm Sat and Sun.