Telford family support charity gets ready for festive fundraising drive

 Home-Start Telford and Wrekin will be taking part in both the Christmas Big Give appeal and the Christmas Charity Gift Wrap at Telford town centre.

Home-Start Telford & Wrekin, whose volunteers support the families of children under five, is appealing for donations to the Christmas Big Give appeal with a target of £5,000.

Home-Start’s donations will be matched by the Big Give charity doubling whatever the local appeal raises. The Big Give initiative is the UK’s biggest match-funded campaign and last year raised £28.5 million for over 1,000 UK charities. 

Last year Home-Start Telford and Wrekin exceeded its target of £5,000 and, as a result, raised  £11,360 to go towards their ‘Together with Families’ campaign. 

Sharon Uppal, the charity’s Corporate and Community Lead, said donations had come in from individuals, public bodies and businesses and she hoped this year’s fund raising would be just as successful. 

“Our supporters across the county helped us to surpass our Big Give target last year and we hope we can do the same in 2024. This is money that we can use to continue to support the families of children under-five who need practical and emotional support in their homes. 

“Our volunteers become a friend to those who are having difficulties parenting in their weekly visits and we also organise drop-in sessions, peer support groups and mental health support,” she said.

The Big Give donations can be made from December 3 to 10. Further information on how to donate to Home-Start Telford and Wrekin’s Big Give ‘Because Childhood Can’t Wait’ campaign is available at Because Childhood Can't Wait

Home-Start Telford and Wrekin is also one of three charities taking part in the Charity Gift Wrap at Telford Town Centre from December 4. Home-Start is appealing for volunteers to help wrap shoppers’ presents in the town centre in return for donations to the charity.

“We are also looking for any spare wrapping paper, ribbons and all the other festive trappings that make presents look special,” said Sharon.

Home-Start Telford and Wrekin will be staffing the gift wrap stand from December 4 to December 10.

The charity is also looking for new volunteers to join its team. Volunteers visit families in their own homes as well as taking part in support groups and encouraging families to widen their network of relationships.

New volunteers are given an online course of preparation, lasting four to five hours per session once a week, for approximately six weeks. The next online preparation course is due to start in January. 

Further information on how to donate, volunteer or get involved with Home-Start Telford & Wrekin is available by emailing info@homestarttandw.org.uk or by calling 01952 872280 or on the website at https://homestarttelfordandwrekin.co.uk