News reports located on this page = 2.

Help the Hospice sparkle this Christmas

PATIENTS will able to see sparkling Christmas trees from their rooms at St Joseph's Hospice during this coming festive season. The Sparkle for St Joseph's project will give local businesses and organisations the opportunity to give the gift of Christmas to Hospice patients receiving end of life care by filling its gardens with Christmas trees covered in glittering lights. The lights will all be switched on on Friday, 4 December 2020 and will be left on until Tuesday, 5 January 2021.

Maxine Armstrong, head of fundraising at St. Joseph's Hospice, said:- "We are really excited to launch our Sparkle for St. Joseph's project as it is a lovely way for local businesses to help brighten up a dark winter and show our patients how much they are loved and cared for by their communities. To sponsor a Christmas tree, we are asking businesses to donate ₤200 per tree. We will provide the trees and will include the name of the donor or a business logo by the tree. We'd like to say a big thank you to Holy Family School, C and D Properties and Shenanigans Bar, who have already sponsored Christmas trees as part of our Sparkle project. Please help us to give the gift of Christmas to our patients this year and help our gardens to sparkle."

Depending on Covid19 restrictions, we will be inviting members of the public to visit the Hospice gardens and see them sparkle this December. You will be able to book a time slot, and there will be refreshments including mulled wine, hot chocolate and mince pies on sale. Please keep an eye on our website:- Jospice.Org.UK and on our social media for the latest information. To sponsor a Christmas tree, please contact the Hospice on:- 0151 932 6044 or email:- Fundraising@Jospice.Org.UK.

Radio City launches:- "Mission Christmas 2020"

LIVERPOOL'S Radio City have launched 2020's "Mission Christmas" appeal and invited listeners and locals to buy 1 extra gift to help thousands of disadvantaged children in Liverpool, North West and North Wales.  The largest Christmas toy appeal in the UK, Mission Christmas is an annual campaign run by Cash for Kids which is supported by Bauer Radio's Regional Stations, including Radio City. Collectively Cash for Kids have raised over ₤20.9 million in 2019, in gifts and donations, which were distributed to more than 1 million children disadvantaged kids across the UK; with 32,870 of recipients in Liverpool, North West and North Wales.

The Covid19 global pandemic has meant Christmas is going to be tougher than ever this year for those in need. The Trussell Trust has predicted that at least an additional 670,000 people will become destitute in the last 3 months of the year, this is a level of poverty that leaves them unable to meet basic food, shelter or clothing needs. With the increase in unemployment and reduction in working hours for many families, Christmas is simply a luxury they cannot afford, and families are having to make difficult decisions between food/heating and gifts. This year's Mission Christmas aims to beat last year's fundraising total and make sure it can help and support as many children as possible from the North West and North Wales.

In order to make this safe for everyone we have carried out an extensive review and risk assessment of Mission to enable us to deliver a gift appeal whilst keeping our staff, volunteers and beneficiaries safe. This means that there will be significantly reduced drop off points and reduced volunteers in our Mission HQ's to accommodate social distancing.

Radio City Presenter Leanne Campbell said:- "This year is going to be particularly tough for many families across the UK. Mission Christmas is a brilliant way for people who are able, to give a little something to lift the spirits of disadvantaged young people who really do deserve it. Last year our listeners really demonstrated their generosity and it was truly amazing what we achieved. This year there have been so many examples of the community pulling together to support everyone and I know that it will be even better than ever before."

It's easy to take part, all you need to do is buy 1 extra gift before 18 December 2020 and hand it in to one of our collection points. Alternatively, you can text:- 'CITY' to:- 70910 to donate ₤10 (Calls cost Standard network rate and 100% of the donation goes to CFK). and we will buy a gift on your behalf. Let's make 2020's Mission Christmas our biggest and best ever and bring some Christmas cheer to the children who need it most.

Supporters of the campaign can take their gifts to the drop off points which you'll find listed on the Radio City website, including our partners B&M, Wickes and Bensons for Beds. During lock down our Mission websites will highlight the essential retailers who are open and able to accept donations. This year Radio City Cash for Kids Mission HQ, which acts as a hub for the receipt, sorting and distribution of gifts, is at:- Birkenhead Van Hire, Hind St, Birkenhead, CH415DA, UK.

The Mission Christmas works closely with:- Social Workers, Head Teachers and the emergency services who will nominate families in crisis to be supported by the appeal. In advance of the launch (and throughout the campaign) organisations nominate the children they support, highlighting their age, gender and any special needs. Cash for Kids therefore knows how many children Mission Christmas is hoping to support and what age groups may be struggling for gifts throughout the appeal.  For further details, including information on how to get involved or make a donation, please visit:- RadioCity.Co.UK/Charity.