Some of the charities who will beneft from your generosity as one of 'Santa's Secret Helpers'

Date published: 07 December 2021

We've teamed up with Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, Pearson Solicitors, Albion House Wealth Management and Action Together as we look for Santa's Secret Helpers!

Could you be one of the army of helpers who buys a small extra gift this year for a child in need in Oldham?

Simply collect a tag from the Christmas tree in Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, buy a present suitable for the age on the tag, and drop your gift off in one of the magic postboxes in the centre.

Then leave the rest to us. Along with our partners, we'll ensure the present is in the right place on Christmas morning.

Here's just some of the organisations that we're working with this year, and a little about what they do.  We'll add more later this week.

The Salvation Army, Roundthorn

The Salvation Army works with some of the most vulnerable people in society.

The organisation has 650 churches and community centres, as well as charity shops (some of which are run by our churches) which work at the heart of communities, serving the most vulnerable people, across the UK.  The Oldham church and community centre is on Roundthorn Road.

Providing Christmas presents for children can place additional pressure on families, where budgets are already incredibly stretched - with many families turning to charities like The Salvation Army for support; using foodbanks and other donations to help them through the Christmas period.

Covid-19 has had a huge financial impact on many of the country’s families, with The Salvation Army providing more than two million meals to people struggling to afford food in the year to May 2021. The Salvation Army aim to alleviate some of this strain during the Christmas period by providing toys to families in need, so children can have some presents to open on Christmas morning.

Oldham Athletic Community Trust

The Oldham Athletic Community Trust runs numerous community based projects across the town of Oldham.

Using the power of football Oldham Athletic Community Trust (OACT) works in partnership with its local community to provide positive opportunities through sport to inspire and reward our local community.

OACT has been working with Parents and carers who have found themselves unemployed or with reduced incomes through no fault of their own. They support schools with ambitious projects, and have been involved in the 'Food For Thought' initiative.  This project focused on providing food/food sources to families through the Covid-19 lockdowns. It involved  the collection and distribution, of over 15,000 food items prior to Christmas along with thousands of pounds worth of supermarket vouchers donated to families in need.

The ROC 'n' Rolls Community Centre, Holts

ROC (Redeeming Our Communities) a national charity founded in 2004 with over 250 projects, run by newly recruited volunteers. The charity’s main aim is to bring about community transformation by creating strategic partnerships which open up opportunities for crime and disorder reduction and improved community cohesion.

The ROC 'n' Rolls community-run cafe is in the heart of Holts estate.  The centre provides community events and projects for Holts including  bingo, walking, kids club, tots tuesday, crafts, christian fellowship, friendship evenings, table top sales and afternoon teas.

The Royal Oldham Hospital

A stay in hospital is an anxious time for any parent or child.  But when that stay is during the Christmas period, the stress is even more marked.

Each Christmas, the ward is decked in Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree, and staff organise fun activities for the holidays.  The children receive a visit from Father Christmas who delivers presents, ready for the big day.

The Royal Oldham’s Children’s Ward cares for children with a range of conditions ranging from minor illness to end of life care, with many different illnesses including sepsis, jaundice, complex conditions, cardiac problems and terminal illnesses.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.