Partner Article

Motor dealer group donates to Christmas Present Appeal

North East-based Jennings Motor Group has once again pledged its support to The Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Present Appeal by donating £1000 worth of gifts for children, teenagers and the elderly.

The appeal, which is in its 36th year and the largest of its kind in the region, was set up with the aim of providing gifts to the most vulnerable people in the region who would not normally receive a gift on Christmas day.

This is the 17th consecutive year Jennings Motor Group, which operates Ford, Ford Direct, Kia, Mazda, SEAT and Mitsubishi dealerships, in addition to a Used Car Outlet, has assisted the appeal by using its branch network across the region as drop off and collection points for gift donations.

Nas Khan, managing director of Jennings Motor Group, presented a variety of gifts for all ages, including non-perishable food items and confectionery, to The Salvation Army’s divisional director for community services, Gill Bedford, Major Michael Leonard and toy appeal co-ordinator, Kath Callan.

Nas said; “We are delighted to once again be supporting The Salvation Army and their Christmas Present Appeal. They do an absolutely fantastic job supporting people within the community, not just at Christmas time, but all year round.

“This time of year, however, is the most difficult and challenging time as they have thousands of people they need to assist in order to make their Christmas extra special.”

Operating more than 40 corps (churches) and community projects across the North East, puts The Salvation Army in a unique position in understanding where the community needs vital support.

Gill Bedford, divisional director for community services at The Salvation Army, said; “We’re grateful to Jennings Motor Group for their support with our Christmas Present Appeal. Families can find themselves in tough financial situations which can be very difficult at Christmas as they struggle to make ends meet but want to take part in this special time of year.

“As a Christian church and charity, we are inspired by the hope that comes from the Christmas story and feel that by providing a small gift for families in need we can share that hope and remind people, as they face those difficult circumstances, that they are valued and cared for.

“2015 is The Salvation Army’s 150th anniversary, so we’re hoping to reach more families than ever and encourage everyone who can to get involved. We simply could not do the work we do without the generous support of the public, we hope that this year’s appeal can bring hope and love into many homes.”

As in previous years, The Salvation Army will not only be assisting Local Authority Social Services departments, but also many other professional statutory agencies who refer local families and those who are known to be in considerable hardship.

Jennings Motor Group is encouraging staff and members of public to make a donation, before the appeal comes to a close on Friday 11th December, by purchasing an extra gift to help the most vulnerable people in the region this Christmas.

New unused toys for children, gifts for teenagers and the elderly, or non-perishable food items and Christmas confectionery can be taken to Jennings Motor Group’s branches located at; Cargo Fleet Lane, Middlesbrough; Yarm Road, Stockton; Concorde Way, Stockton; Parsons Road, Washington; Eslington Park, Gateshead and Newcastle Road, South Shields.

For more information about this year’s Appeal, contact The Salvation Army’s Northern Division on 0191 2931360. Gift ideas for children and young people: · 0-3 years: soft toys, colourful and fun educational toys, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes;

· 3-5 years: books, dressing up clothes, cars, lorries, dolls, action figures and soft toys, colourful and fun educational toys, CDs (music, stories and nursery rhymes), suitable DVDS, colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles, footballs; · 5-9 years: dolls and action figures, educational games and toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs and family friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, word search, crosswords, skateboards, sports equipment and clothing; · 9-12 years: games and toys, sports equipment and clothing, stationery, CDs, DVDs, books, T-Shirts, hair ornaments, gloves, scarves, hats; ·13-16 years: CDs, DVDs, books, toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats and other fashion accessories.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gwynneth McIntyre .