COULD you bring Christmas to life for a young person in need of support?

The Council is looking for donations to bring Christmas cheer to young people who have been in care.

The Christmas appeal for care leavers helps transform the festive time for young people who may not have anyone to buy them a gift.

People like Seth Moore and Becky Slater both from the borough both benefitted from the appeal last year, which brought them together with businesses and residents who kindly gave something for them through the St Helens Ambassadors programme.

Seth, aged 21, said: “Without this support Christmas would be really bland with no decorations and just being on my own so it’s nice to connect with others. It’s like having a big family.

"Without it there’s not much you can buy, especially if you’ve just come out of college and don’t have a job so It’s nice to have a bit extra.

“It makes a huge difference to know kind people have donated, it made me really happy to find out people actually care and I’m really grateful to the people who helped out last year and it would be really nice if they could help out again and get more people to help out.”

The hampers are personalised to each young person’s own likes and offers the chance for them to have Christmas presents that so many people take for granted.

Becky, aged 20, added: “I got Creamfields tickets, my favourite aftershave, some vouchers and a food hamper which I found very considerate because over the Christmas period you struggle for money so the food hamper was very helpful.

“Me and my sister also both helped pack the gift boxes and hampers for the young children and it just makes you feel that it brings people closer together and that made me happy because there are some children who might spend it alone or without their family and we’re given that opportunity to bring us all together means quite a lot.”

They are also invited along to a Christmas dinner where they can enjoy festive fun in a relaxed atmosphere.

Members of the public and businesses are encouraged to help out by donating whatever they can to help make a young care leaver’s Christmas one to celebrate.

There are 135 young people who will benefit from the hampers this year so every donation is vital.

All donations are needed by Monday, December 9 so that they can be packed and distributed so please get in touch to make your donation quickly to transform Christmas for young people who need our support.

To find out more about donations email lucyparker@sthelens.gov.uk or call 01744 671810.