News release
21 October 2021
Early boost for disadvantaged kids in Halton with Halton Christmas Toy Appeal
Halton Children’s Centres annual Christmas Toy Appeal has received a jump start with a donation of brand-new toys worth £2,000 thanks to merseyflow and Merseylink.
Tolling operator merseyflow joined forces with Merseylink (the consortium responsible for the design, construction, financing and operation of the Mersey Gateway Project assets) to support hundreds of disadvantaged children from some of Halton’s most deprived areas by donating £1,000 of toys and gifts each.
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.
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 and gifts that could appeal to children aged between 0 and 18.
The tolling operator’s staff are already adding to that by donating toys and Christmas presents to support the good cause.
Helen Williams, Marketing Manager at merseyflow, said: “This is the 3rd year that we’ve run a Christmas Toy Appeal and every year we have had an amazing response from our generous customers and staff.
“Supporting the local community in Halton and the surrounding areas is very important to us. After the negative impact of the pandemic and lockdown on charity fundraising, we wanted to help kickstart the appeal for disadvantaged children around Halton, and give them a Christmas every child deserves.”
Hugh O’Connor, General Manager of the Merseylink Consortium, said: “We’re really pleased we’re able to contribute again to this wonderful cause. The benefits of the appeal to local kids in Halton are fantastic and we’re proud to support Halton Children’s Centres Christmas Appeal once again.”
Claire Pentin, Principal Manager of the Runcorn Children’s Centres, said: “Every toy and gift donated will be given to local children here in Halton this Christmas. After a tough year for fundraising, this boost from merseyflow and Merseylink will really help to kick start our annual Christmas appeal. We still have more work to do and I’d like to thank everyone who contributes in advance, every donation big or small can make a difference in a child’s life this Christmas.”
The merseyflow walk-in-centre is open Monday to Friday 9am-7pm and on Sunday from 9am-6pm.