Launch of Calderdale Community Christmas Appeal 2024

For the last twelve years, Rotary Clubs in Calderdale have run a very successful community spirited Christmas Appeal. In 2023 Rotary distributed over 1,700 presents in the run up to Christmas to over twenty local charities and good causes.

2024’s appeal has taken on a ‘new twist’ as some business study students from Calderdale College are involved and running the administrative side, formerly handled by Rotarians. During October they communicated with many schools and local companies encouraging participation once again. Nicki Hudson, Head of Employer Engagement at Calderdale College, said: “The Christmas Appeal has allowed us to give something back while providing students with the chance to work on a live brief for a real organisation, gaining valuable experience for life after college.

Rotarian Bryan Harkness working alongside the College and the students has said, ‘The annual generosity of Calderdale folks is second to none. We hope once again to be able to distribute many hundreds of presents at Christmas to those who might otherwise receive little’. He went on to say, ‘There is still a great need locally to bring some joy at Christmas and this annual appeal does just that.’

If you would like to donate a gift of a toy or game etc for a child or adult, age range from birth to retired persons, then all you need do is to take the gift to either Harveys Cookshop or Marsh & Marsh Properties at Hipperholme. Your gift can be either loose or wrapped, but in the latter case could you identify say the age and sex of child or adult please.

Any reader, school or business wants to join in or requires more information, Rotary’s contact is Bryan Harkness, bh@rkness.co.uk or 07770 471698.