Warrington businesses praised for support

MORE than 60 Warrington businesses have been praised for showing the true meaning of Christmas.

For the fourth consecutive year Warrington Youth Club hosted a Christmas Meal for local families with the latest event being the largest and most successful so far, with over 60 businesses offering support to improve Christmas for local families.

On the day 185 children, young people, parents, carers and Grandparents were invited to a special event at the Gateway. The adults were welcomed with refreshments donated from local businesses and the children were entertained with festive arts and crafts by the staff from Tesco on Winwick Road. The families were then invited to take their seats for a fantastic Christmas meal provided by Jaspers Catering.

Following dinner Santa landed his sledge on the roof of the Gateway and then took the unusual route in the glass elevator down to his grotto, where he greeted every child, young person; parent, grant parent and carer, each were given a sack full of presents.

As each of the families left the Christmas Meal they were presented with a hamper of food to support them through the festive period. One of the parents was quoted as saying, “this was going to be the worst Christmas, but it has been the best.”

Dave McNicholl (pictured) Chief Executive of Warrington Youth Club, who praised local businesses for their support said: “The support that we have received this year for the meal has been completely overwhelming and the way in which individuals, local businesses, companies and other charities have supported this event has been a testament to the amazing community spirit that runs right through Warrington. We asked local businesses to help by donating some tins for the hampers, we hoped to make up 60 hampers, we were able to make 90. We had over 4,000 Christmas presents donated. On the day of the meal an army of over 75 volunteers built grottos, wrapped presents, served food, cleaned plates, played games and smiled, thank you to everyone who supported this magical event.’

Local businesses donated gifts, money, food, time, equipment and energy to help and support both the 185 people who attended the event. But with the amount of support presents, food and clothes were donated to Warrington Hospital’s Children’s Ward, Blue Apple Hero’s, Warrington Open Doors at Christmas, YMCA.

Thanks go to all of the businesses that supported this incredible event, Card Factory, Village Hotel, Jaspers Catering, Tesco Winwick Road, FDR Law Warrington, Xpress Legal Services, ICC Solutions, Warburton’s, Vimto, The Advice Room, In Hand Design, Infinite Mortgages, Styles and Co Accountants, Focus BNI, BNI Warrington, Faithfull & Gould, Company Cards, Wire FM, Key 103, Radio City, The Gateway, Rolls Royce, Cheshire Police, Optionis House/ Parasol, Royal Bank of Scotland, European Metal Recycling, IKEA, Corks Out, Brookfield’s Surgery, St Rocco’s, Fiddler’s Ferry, Enjoy Benefits, Penketh High School, United Utilities, Calibre Control and The Gateway Community Café.