Presents bought through the Big Fat Secret Santa Appeal on Sunday 2nd and Monday 3rd December will benefit children and young people supported by the children’s charity Barnardo’s in the North West.

Some of the vulnerable children and young people that will be receiving gifts from this year’s appeal include young mums with babies living in supported accommodation in Rochdale, as well as children and teens with disabilities in the town and young homeless people living in supported accommodation in Bury. In Liverpool, children and young adults who care for sick or disabled family members, teenagers in care and those who have recently left care, including some who are now young parents, are also on Santa’s gift list.

For some of these children and young people, Christmas can be a difficult time of year and some may sadly receive little or no gifts at all on Christmas morning.

Last year, Barnardo’s was thrilled to receive more than 200 amazing gifts purchased by kind-hearted members of the public through this gift appeal, including toy guitars, Lego sets, baby sleep-bags, aftershave, books, make up sets and Bluetooth speakers.

The charity is always grateful for toys and gifts for any age group and all will go to good homes. However, this year, due to the significant amount of older children, teenagers and young adults Barnardo’s supports in the region, they are particularly keen to receive any gifts suitable for older age groups.

Barnardo’s would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the gift appeal. No matter how big or small your donation, it will go a long way to making a difference to the life of the child or young person that receives it.

Quentin D Fortesqueue is a founding editor of The Rochdale Herald. Part time amateur narcissist and full time satirist Quentin is never happier than when playing his lute and drinking a full bodied Bordeaux. He rarely plays the lute and never gets to drink Bordeaux.