More than 600 gifts donated for Mansfield families in need as appeal smashes target

A huge pile of gifts ready to be donated thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses.

Mansfield District Council's ‘Sponsor a Bauble’ and ‘Secret Santa’ appeals

raised a whopping £3,846, which is £1,846 more than the original target.A dozen 'elves' from the council worked for three days to wrap around 628 gifts for men, women and children. They also packed 200 food hampers.

The gifts have been distributed to families in need by Mansfield Children’s

Mayor Andy Abrahams wrapping gifts with the elves (front of house staff from the Palace Theatre)

Centre Service and the council, and the hampers will go out via the council's

FOOD clubs.

All the gifts for the ‘Secret Santa’ appeal were bought from or donated by local businesses and local people.

Four charities will each receive £377 from the ‘Sponsor a Bauble’ appeal.

Those that will benefit are the Beacon Project and Crossroads Trust, which

both support rough sleepers and people at risk of homelessness in Mansfield;

the Jigsaw Support Scheme, a local organisation which helps people with

dementia and hoarding issues; and the local ‘Gift of Christmas’ community

group, which has a Christmas hamper appeal.Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: "I would like to thank all those who

donated to the appeals for helping to bring some cheer to those most in need

during this most difficult of Christmases.

"I am so proud of Mansfield. It always rallies and rises to the challenge when

there are people who need that helping hand."