The largest Christmas toy appeal in the UK, ‘Mission Christmas’ is a campaign to ensure that no local child goes without a gift at Christmas. Cash for Kids kickstarted their annual appeal to listeners and locals on Monday 17th November to help thousands of disadvantaged children in East Yorkshire, Yorkshire Coast & Lincolnshire
A campaign from charity Cash for Kids, in 2024 Mission Christmas collected £14.8 million in gifts and cash donations, which was used to make sure that 289,596 children and young people had presents to open on Christmas Day. Locally, this kindness meant that 10,205 children across East Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Coast and Lincolnshire were able to experience the magic and joy of Christmas morning.
This year, the need remains just as great. Across East Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Coast and Lincolnshire, applications have been received on behalf of more than 10,000 children who need our support. In Boston alone, there are 93 children who, without the generosity of the community, are at risk of waking up to nothing on Christmas morning.
As part of this year’s appeal, the Mission Christmas Fill the Bus Tour with Stagecoach took place across Lincolnshire on Tuesday 9th December, Wednesday 10th December and Thursday 11th December. On Wednesday 10th December, the tour visited Downtown Boston and Ringrose Law in Boston. Organisers would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the businesses involved for showing such incredible support, and to every single person who took the time to donate on the day. Each gift and contribution brings us one step closer to making Christmas brighter for local children.
Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “It has been a wonderful time, really showing the true spirit of Christmas. I am always hugely impressed by the generosity of our customers and the businesses across Lincolnshire.
I am very proud of my team, who continue to make significant efforts to come together to support the Fill The Bus Tour, as well as to make their own donations. We are grateful to everyone who supports and contributes towards Mission Christmas and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
A spokesperson for Cash for Kids said: “We are immensely grateful to the wonderful team at Stagecoach for their continued support of Cash for Kids, Mission Christmas and the Fill the Bus Tour. Their commitment, alongside the compassion and generosity of our community, helps make Christmas possible for those local children who need it most.”
Supporters of the campaign can take their gifts to a number of drop-off points near them until Thursday 18th December, including local Wickes stores. Simply head to www.cashforkids.org.uk and enter your postcode to find the drop-off point closest to you.
Stagecoach’s “Fill the Bus Tour” visited Boston’s Downtown store last week, for the Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas appeal.
Staff from Boston’s Downtown store, and customers donate toys to the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal.
Staff from Ringrose Law’s Boston branch donated a large amount of toys to the appeal.
