Sam Peacock Landscaping with their donation and volunteers Photo: MBC
The holiday season is in full swing, and the spirit of giving is alive and well in the heart of Maidstone. Thanks to the incredible generosity of local residents, the Christmas Donation Hub has been overwhelmed with donations, bringing joy and hope to ten local charities.
Since its opening on November 13th, the hub has already collected over £15,000 worth of donations, including essential items and heartwarming gifts. With just under a week left to donate, the community is encouraged to continue their acts of kindness and make a difference in the lives of those in need.
The Maidstone Borough Council’s Communications Team has been amazed by the outpouring of support, from individuals to local businesses like Sam Peacock Landscaping, who generously donated over £300 worth of items.
Owner of the company, Sam Peacock said:
“We think it’s amazing that Maidstone Borough Council are supporting local charities and helping those who are finding it difficult this time of year. We believe all children deserve to have something to open on Christmas morning and by donating some toys we hope this brings some joy to them this Christmas.”
Rob Foley, Operations Manager at MADM one of the charities who have been receiving donations said:
“Last week we were able to support the Maidstone Family Hub with their Christmas party by donating toys we received from the Donation Hub to the children and families they work with who are really struggling. The free toys allow the families to be able to give to their children this Christmas.
“Another client, a single mum with a little girl came to us for help with food and opened up about not knowing how she is going to buy any presents for her daughter. Her face lit up when I asked her to follow me to our Toy Bank. Mum was able to take three toys to wrap for her daughter’s Christmas presents.”
Street Pastor Coordinator Nigel Downes says:
“The generosity of some people is amazing, while we were volunteering in the Hub, a couple came in and asked what was needed; they returned shortly after with a few carrier bags full of stuff for the charities involved. As if that wasn’t enough, they came back about half an hour later with even more bags! I hope Maidstone Street Pastors can be involved again next year”.
The project, supported by The Mall Maidstone, is being manned by MBC staff and a band of volunteers who have been working hard in the hub.
One of those, is Leader of the Council, Stuart Jeffery who said:
“The team at the Donation Hub has been absolutely amazed at the generosity of the people of Maidstone.
“They have heard some very humbling stories from some who have virtually nothing themselves but want to give what they can to help other people.
“Thank you to you all for your incredible kindness, we really appreciate everything that you are doing to help us to support others.”
Working in partnership with The Mall, MBC is hosting the Christmas Donation Hub which is open until Thursday 12 December and is taking in festive gifts, toys, toiletries, household products, food items and more to be shared with local charities who will distribute them to those who may be struggling to afford to celebrate this year.
Located on the lower ground level of The Mall the Maidstone Christmas Donation Hub is open Monday to Friday 9.30am – 3.30pm and Saturday 9.30am – 12.30pm.
MBC is delighted to be hosting the Christmas Donation Hub and working with The Mall to support so many different local charities who will distribute the donated items to those people who need them most and include:
The charities that the project is supporting include:
- Age UK Maidstone
- Blackthorn Trust
- Family Food Banks
- Fusion Healthy Living Centre
- Making a Difference to Maidstone (MADM)
- Maidstone Community Support Centre
- Mid Kent Mind
- St Faiths Community Centre
- The Princess Project
- Trinity Community Centre
- Wishing Hearts
To find out more about the Maidstone Christmas Donation Hub please go to the community pages on the MBC website: https://maidstone.gov.uk/christmas-hub.