News release
27th November 2020

£1,500 Mersey Gateway boost for Halton Children’s Centres Christmas Appeal as walk-in centre set to re-open

Construction consortium Merseylink and tolling operator merseyflow have given the Halton Children’s Centres Christmas Appeal a massive boost by donating £1,500 worth of brand-new toys to the appeal.

Merseyflow is also encouraging staff and customers to use its walk-in centre in Manor Park in Runcorn as a drop-off point for toys from 2 December.

The tolling operator’s staff are already adding to that by donating toys and Christmas presents to support the good cause.

When merseyflow’s Manor Park walk-in-centre in Runcorn re-opens on 2 December, customers will be able to use it as a drop-off point for toys. All customers visiting the centre need to wear face coverings and follow social distancing guidelines when they visit.

The toys need to be new and unopened and would need to be dropped off by 13 December at the latest. Ideally the team behind the appeal is looking to collect a range of toys that could appeal to children aged between 0 and 18.

The appeal, which is also supported by Trinity Church in Widnes, benefits hundreds of disadvantaged children from some of Halton’s most deprived areas every year.

Helen Williams, Marketing Manager at merseyflow, said: “I’m sure we will have an incredible response from our very generous customers and staff to support this appeal, and we wanted to kick start it ourselves as a company because lockdown has affected everything, including charity fund-raising, this year. I’d ask anyone coming to drop off toys at our walk-in centre from 2 December to make sure they wear a face covering and follow the social distancing guidelines.”

Hugh O’Connor, General Manager of the Merseylink Consortium, which has donated £1,000 to the appeal, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with the Halton Children’s Centres Christmas Appeal because all the benefits go to local kids and we know that 2020 has been such a challenging year for so many people in lots of different ways.”

Claire Pentin, Principal Manager of the Runcorn Children’s Centres, said: “We’re really pleased to get the support of the merseylink and merseyflow teams in this year’s appeal and the £1,500 donation is incredible. I’d like to thank everyone who contributes in advance. Every penny raised and gift donated will be used to support local children here in Halton this Christmas.”

The merseyflow walk-in-centre is open again from 2 December with opening hours of Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm and on Sunday from 10am-4pm.