Whitworth community Christmas cheer

Laura Taylor with her daughters Evie Walch and Sophia Taylor

A family from Whitworth are hoping to spread Christmas cheer this festive season by making gift bags full of treats for the elderly in the community.

Laura Taylor and her daughters Sophia Taylor, 6, and Evie Walch, 2, decided to spread Christmas cheer so that those who may be lonely this Christmas have something to look forward to.

Laura said: “I work in care and see every year elderly people sat alone at home at Christmas time and each year, it gets harder to watch.”

The family are aiming to make 100 bags and hope to deliver them to the community during the week of Christmas.

Laura added: “My daughters are really getting into the giving spirit and each have their own part to play. Sophia, who attends Tonacliffe Primary School, has got all of her friends involved and year one and year two are each making Christmas cards to go in each bag. Evie, who attends Small World Nursery, also has a collection box going.”

The family are looking for donations of any kinds of chocolates, sweets, gift sets, toiletries and biscuits, as well as any other goodies that would make a nice treat and complement the bags.

“We have so much support from the village already with the local playgroup, youth centre and guides group also holding collections. We just want to let the elderly residents know that they aren't alone and that the Whitworth community is thinking of them this Christmas,” said Laura.

Donations can be taken to collections points at the Co-Op shop on Thorneylea Road, Whitworth and the UBS shop on Market Street, Whitworth. The food and craft fair and Hallfold Church between 10am and 3.30pm will also have a collection box during their event on Saturday (14 November).