News release
14th December 2021

Over 30 sacks of Christmas gifts to be delivered to Halton kids as Halton Children’s Centres Christmas Toy Appeal closes

Over 30 sacks of new, unopened toys will be delivered to disadvantaged children in Halton this festive period thanks to generous donations from customers and staff of the tolling and construction companies behind the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges.

The annual Halton Children’s Centres annual Christmas Toy Appeal supports hundreds of disadvantaged children from some of Halton’s most deprived areas by collecting toy and gift donations and distributing them to those in need.

The appeal received a jump start back in November with a donation of brand-new toys worth £2,000 thanks to tolling operator merseyflow and Merseylink, the consortium responsible for the design, construction, financing and operation of the Mersey Gateway Project assets.

This is the third year that merseyflow’s Walk-In Centre in Manor Park in Runcorn has been used as a drop-off point for toys and the response has been overwhelming.

Helen Williams, Marketing Manager at merseyflow, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our staff and customers who have really gone above and beyond to ensure the kids in Halton have a good Christmas after what has been an exceptionally tough year. We’re proud to support the local communities here in Halton and the Halton Children’s Centres annual Christmas Toy Appeal is a cause that is particularly close to our hearts.”

Hugh O’Connor, General Manager of the Merseylink Consortium, which has donated £1,000 to the appeal, said: “We’re happy to support the Halton Children’s Centres Christmas Appeal once again and thankful to everyone who has taken the time and effort to donate to this wonderful cause.”

Denise Caldwell, Early Help Officer at Runcorn Children’s Centres, said: “We are always amazed and incredibly grateful for the response we receive to our annual Christmas Toy Appeal. We’d like to thank everyone who has donated toys and gifts this year, as well as merseyflow and Merseylink for their generous donation and continued support. Every toy and gift donated will be given directly to kids in the local community to help brighten up their holidays, and can really make a big difference.”