This year, Santa has had a helping hand from the people of Manchester in raising enough money to buy Christmas gifts for more than 35,000 disadvantaged children.
Thanks to the listeners of Hits Radio, locals and businesses of Manchester, more children will wake up to presents on Christmas morning.
People have been donating gifts and money all over Manchester to help the more than one in four children across the region who live in poverty.
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The huge number of children who will receive Christmas presents this year was revealed on Hits Radio Manchester by breakfast host, Fleur East, who said: “For many of us, being with loved ones will be the ultimate Christmas gift this year.
“However, for many families 2021 has been a continuous and devastating financial struggle, with Christmas becoming more of a burden than a celebration.
“We’re so happy then that thanks to the enormous generosity of our listeners, we’re able to deliver joy to more than 35,482 children in our communities.
“We couldn’t have done it without you, thank you!”
Mission Christmas is the largest Christmas toy appeal in the UK and is run by Hit’s Radio’s charity Cash for Kids.
The mission was once again supported by B&M Bargains and B&M home stores with all of their stores acting as drop off locations for presents.
This year, the charity had a record number of requests for help, believed to have been caused by the end of the universal credit top up and the end of furlough.
The country-wide charity raised a staggering £19.3 million in 2020, supporting more than 396,000 underprivileged children all across the country.
However, every penny raised in Greater Manchester stays local.
Donations are still welcome at Hit Radio Cash For Kids and to make a contribution or to get involved with future campaigns, click here .