Eccles church appeals for Christmas gift donations for third year running amid cost of living crisis fears

An Eccles church has made a plea for Christmas gift donations from the local community amid the ongoing 2023 cost of living crisis.

LifeChurch Eccles encouraged locals on Facebook yesterday (October 17) to become “Christmas Angels” and donate gifts for those experiencing financial trouble.

Derek Hughes, a leader at the church, said the importance of bringing Christmas magic to those experiencing difficult times cannot be understated. Derek added: “I think it just gives a bit of solidarity to somebody, sometimes that gives you the strength and power to face your difficulties.

“When you’re isolated, everything’s harder, so just being seen and knowing someone cares can give them the strength to carry on.”

Individuals who wish to become an Angel must fill out a form on the group’s website – they will then be assigned a person to purchase a gift for.

After an Angel has purchased and wrapped their gift, LifeChurch Eccles’ volunteers will deliver it to the nominee’s door at Christmas time.

The volunteers at LifeChurch Eccles have helped a plethora of people in the past three years since the project started, including carers for ill relatives and those recovering from bereavement.

Anyone can receive a gift from the programme, and others can nominate an individual who they think is deserving of one online.

Derek said:  “We had a story last year where someone had gotten nominated because they were caring for their mum, and their mum was elderly, and they were giving lots of time to doing that.

“It was really wearing them out, and a family member had nominated them.

“We happened to turn up with the Angel gift the day after their mum had died.

“You could see they were just moved to tears, and when you think all you’re doing is just offering a little gift.”

He added that becoming a Christmas Angel may seem like a tiny thing, but that a small gift could make a huge impact on somebody struggling.

The drop-off date for those wishing to buy presents is on November 26, and will be at the Alexandria House in Eccles – this is also the deadline for donations.