Big hearted staff at West Tower in Aughton have again been offering a helping hand to the community.

During the first lockdown, the wedding venue allowed NHS staff to stay there free of charge - and for the second lockdown, it's been supporting the charity Mission Christmas Cash for Kids, where it's been used as a gift drop off zone, and staff are collecting gifts every day from 9-5pm until Friday, December 18.

Mission Christmas Cash for Kids aims to support the one in three children living in poverty.

Stephanie Beqo, general manager at West Tower, said: “Mission Christmas Cash for Kids is a great organization aimed at helping those families who need it most at Christmas time.

“I personally get involved every year buying gifts to donate but after this year I am well aware that there will be more families in need than ever before so I wanted to do whatever I could to help and give the organization a boost.

“At West Tower we know all too well the impact 2020 has had on everyone and everything this year. So many families are facing unexpected unemployment meaning more children face waking up on Christmas Day without anything under the tree and our mission is to ensure all children in our local area receive a gift this year.

“All gifts will be distributed in Lancashire. I am asking anyone who is able to help these families by donating a gift to our appeal. All gifts must be new and unwrapped. No food or perishable items please.

“During the first lockdown I moved into site and opened West Tower to NHS staff working in the local hospitals, to date we have now moved over 180 weddings.

“Our business and team are both strong a resilient, we will continue to move our couples on a month by month basis until this pandemic is over and we can get back to doing what we do best and delivering the perfect day to our couples.

“With Lancashire being put into tier three meaning we cannot open the building for wedding receptions and we are unable to host those weddings that were hoping to take place in early December, I wanted to ensure I am do as much as possible during this time to help the local community so decided to use the building for the appeal.

“I told my team on the day they went home back in March that this situation would bring out the very best and the very worst in both people and business’s and I was determined that West Tower would be seen for fantastic venue and the fantastic team that we are.

“My daughter, Mia, is six and just about understands what is going on. I wanted to show her the importance of helping others and doing what we could during the pandemic. She has really enjoyed helping me collect presents from the local community and is our very own self-appointed head elf!”

If anyone is able to join us and support our local families but are unsure on what to buy, here are some ideas:

0-3 years = teddies, musical toys, my first toys, rattles, books, and plate mats;
3-5 years = cars, dolls, jigsaw, dress up items, playdoh, colouring books & pencils;
5-7 Years = lego, art and craft sets, skipping ropes, jewellery sets, action figures, and board games.
7-9 Years = football, board games, remote control cars, and stationary sets.
9-12 Years = board games, puzzles, make up sets, nail varnish, and books.
12-18 Years = books, jewellery, make up, aftershave and perfumes, handbags and backpacks, and electrical items (straighteners/mini speakers).

Stephanie added: “We have had a great initial response over the weekend but would love to collect as many gifts as possible over the next couple of weeks.”