Christmas appeal launched by the Hummingbird Project

Over the last three years, The Hummingbird Project has collected and gifted more than 13,000 Christmas gifts to local children, families and elderly.  

This year the project says the need will be greater than ever, as it has registered a “huge increase” in the number of people using its services throughout the year, with people even getting in touch as early as July to ask for help with Christmas gifts.

Now, the Hummingbird Project is aiming to collect 7,000 toys and gifts for local children for Christmas 2024. Once collected, the gifts will be given to families through the project’s links with  local social services, children’s services, group, charities and schools, as well as through individual referrals. 

The team also provide more than 1,000 gifts for elderly people living alone or with limited friends and family.  Gifts include handmade cards from local schoolchildren, as a number of local primary and secondary children get involved to create cards for the cause each year. From feedback, the Hummingbird Project says this is the part that brings the most joy to recipients on Christmas morning.

Jo Gregory, founder of The Hummingbird Project, said: “It is an absolute honour to work with so many local groups, pubs, business and schools to provide presents for the local community. We distribute the gifts from our ‘Grotto’ which is located at the Hummingbird Project, and is set out like a small shop, meaning people can select their own gifts rather than being given them. 

“We aim to make it a dignified and respectful experience which is in line with the overarching Hummingbird ethos of ‘Freetail’. 

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who continues to support our Christmas Appeal. We are committed to making sure that everyone who wouldn’t usually receive much at Christmas time, has something to open on Christmas morning.” 

Donations of toys, books, puzzles, jigsaws, biscuits, chocolates, etc can be made to any of the following locations:

Tesco, Glossop, Glossop Caravans, Ryder & Dutton, Cash & Kitchen, Wetherspoons, The Howard Arms, The Friendship, Brooke Tavern, The Pear Tree, Bar 2, Hadfield Con Club, The Commercial, The Corner Cupboard, The Grapes, The Oakwood, The Star, Harvey Leonards, The Palatine, The Prince of Wales, The Globe, The Norfolk Arms, Tintwistle Con Club, The Peels Arms.

Anyone in need of gifts this year can contact the Project on 0774 806 7169 or hummingbirdhubs@gmail.com