A Huddersfield charity dedicated to helping families has launched two Christmas fundraising campaigns … and a chance to meet Santa for free.
Fresh Futures, based on New North Parade, is dedicated to ensuring children, young people and their families across Kirklees have opportunities for a better life, now and in the future.
It has a Bauble Appeal and a Toy Appeal now running for Christmas.
Fresh Futures provides services supporting thousands of children, young people and families each year – including mentoring, youth activities, alternative provision education, family support and community programmes.
In 2024, Fresh Futures supported 11,446 families, reached 7,675 children, young people and families directly, helping 147 young people into future opportunities.
The chance to meet Santa for free is on Saturday, December 13 at Fresh Futures from 10am to 5.30pm but places must be booked first through Eventbrite by clicking here.
Santa’s grotto has been sponsored by UK Greetings and families can visit the grotto, meet Santa, take photos and then choose a toy.
With the bauble appeal, for a donation of £50, businesses, individuals or community groups can sponsor a branded bauble to be placed on Fresh Futures’ Christmas Tree at Brian Jackson House in Huddersfield.
Each bauble can carry a company logo or individual’s name, giving the donor visibility and recognition. Donors will also be recognised on the Fresh Futures website and across their social media channels. Donations for the Bauble Appeal can be made via the Fresh Futures Just Giving page.
With the Toy Appeal, Fresh Futures is also collecting brand-new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers aged up to 16 so that no child in Kirklees wakes up without a present this Christmas.
The appeal would like workplaces, schools, community groups or individuals to run their own collections and drop-off points.
Katie Shephard, head of income and engagement at Fresh Futures, said: “Christmas is a time of hope and togetherness and through these appeals we want everyone in our community to contribute and celebrate local children and young people.
“Whether you’re putting a bauble on our tree or donating a gift for a child, you’ll be directly supporting services that change lives across Huddersfield and Kirklees.”
For more information or to register your participation, contact the Fresh Futures Fundraising Team at: fundraising@freshfutures.org.uk or by calling 01484 519988.
A wreath-making workshop will be held on Thursday, November 27, from 7pm to 9pm and for more details and to book click here.
Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content, copywriting and ghost-writing autobiographies.
