Prestonians are being urged to help ensure children and young people across the city have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Cotton Court Business Centre in Church Street is joining forces with Barnardo’s in Lancashire for the 12th consecutive year for their Christmas Gift Appeal.

Hundreds of gifts are donated each year by businesses, individuals and organisations to help Barnardo’s.

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Cotton Court’s chief executive Rob Binns said: “This annual gift appeal isn’t just a tradition for us – it is our way of spreading joy and making a real difference.

“Every year we are blown away by the generosity of the businesses, individuals, and communities who have been donating gifts for children and young people who may not get anything else. We couldn’t do it without them.”

There’s a particular need for gifts to help teenagers or young adults an age range often overlooked in Christmas appeals.

Assistant director of Barnardo’s, Debbie Nolan-Plunkett, said: “For some of these children, Christmas is just another day they might spend feeling alone or forgotten. This appeal gives them something special to look forward to and reminds them that they’re valued.

“The excitement in their eyes when they receive a gift, knowing it was chosen just for them, speaks volumes. Our teams see firsthand the impact this makes across Lancashire, reaching those who need it most.”

Blog Preston is endorsing and supporting the Christmas toy appeal as our official Christmas campaign and we urge all readers to, if they can, consider making a donation and ensuring this is the largest ever year for gifts.

How you can help the Christmas appeal

• Donate an unwrapped gift or gift card at one of the donation sites
• Buy a gift online (via Amazon) and have it delivered to Cotton Court
• Order a gift voucher to be delivered to Cotton Court

If you’re stuck for what to donate, there’s a handy list from Barnardo’s

Donations need to be made by Wednesday 18 December.

Donation sites for unwrapped gifts:

• Cotton Court Business Centre, PR1 3BY (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
• Cotton Court Leyland, PR25 2YJ (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
• Highfield Hybrid, Cottam (DM @highfieldhybrid on Instagram for times)
• Fit Forward, Unit 1 Murray St, Preston PR1 7HY
• Nuffield Health and Fitness, PR5 4AW (Mon-Fri, 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun, 8am-8pm)
• Feltons Army Surplus Stores, PR1 6RE (Mon-Fri, 8am-3:45pm, Sat, 8am-1:45pm)
• Freshfield, Derby House, 12 Winckley Square, Preston PR1 3JJ

Or if you’re ordering online, here’s where to deliver to:

• Delivery address for online gifts & vouchers: Barnardo’s Gift Appeal, Cotton Court, Church Street, Preston, PR1 3BY.

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