A CHRISTMAS campaign has returned to Coventry to ensure vulnerable people most in need receive an advent calendar this festive season.
People across Coventry are being asked to donate calendars which will go to those who are destitute, terminally ill children and adults.
Miss Smiles – who has helped with the collections five of the last nine years the drive has been going – says each calendar has the potential to bring ’25 smiles’.
She is helped by Amy and her son Logan – all in aid of the Coventry Comfort Carers – a group of projects to help those in crisis situations – from homelessness and addiction to food poverty and illness.
Among the services helped have been the MLSS and Langar Aid.
The group also provides practical help, meals, social, games night and movie nights.
They also provided education for the homeless during the pandemic.
The campaign was conducted at St Columbas Church before it closed due to the pandemic but this time – for the second year running – is being done remotely with volunteers and help from the community, Bablake and Bishop Ullathorne Schools.
It is anticipated the group will need to collect 3,000 calendars for the children.
Among the referral organisations who put people forward for calendars are Coventry City homeless family placements, the Salvation Army, the Birches Children’s Respite for the life-limited and disabled, Bradbury House for children with behavioural issues and the Valley House domestic violence and teenage parent support.
Other beneficiaries include Coventry Haven women’s aid, Kairos WWT, UHCW children’s wards, Rainbows at Myton hospice (for children losing their parents), Myton Hospice, Caludon Mental Health Centre, elderly care facilities and nursing homes, children’s hubs and supportive nurseries, adult special needs support centres, destitute families, children in residential council care and many more.
To find out how to donate advent calendars, call Toni on 07851 808011 or Amy on 07545 768639.
The deadline for donations is next Monday, November 22.
