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Dec 2020

Last Updated: 04/12/2020

Community

Harrogate Covid Co-Operation raises money for Xmas gifts for kids

by Tamsin O'Brien

| 04 Dec, 2020

Covid Co-Operation Harrogate has raised thousands of pounds for Xmas gifts -- it's co-founder tells the Stray Ferret that families have really struggled this year leaving parents unable to afford presents..

Christmas gifts. Photo: Jo Zimny/Flickr.

Covid Co-Operation Harrogate has successfully raised £2,400 to buy Xmas gifts for disadvantaged children in the district.

The "Smiles, Not Tears" campaign Crowdfunded the money in just over a month.

Covid Co-Operation Harrogate has 10,500 members in its Facebook group and was set up as a community support group before the first lockdown. Its co-founder Susie Little said the appeal for money is directly due to the pandemic.

"People have contacted me privately outside the group and are struggling. I thought if they can't afford food how can their parents afford gifts for their children at Christmas? And how do you understand that as a child? It's very upsetting. "

The group will now work with a number of local charities such as New Beginnings and IDAS (both support women and families who have been the victims of domestic abuse) and Grove Road Primary School to coordinate buying and delivering the gifts to children. The aim is to buy the presents from local independent stores.

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Ms Little said she was delighted by the response and thanked all those who had donated:

"This appeal is directly related to covid. People have faced redundancy and having the kids at home more- that means more food and heating the home. Everything is more expensive if you're at home and have lost your job.

I'm proud and delighted by the success of this appeal, and again, by the extraordinary generosity of the people of Harrogate...this initiative will mean lots of smiles on Christmas Day, rather than tears. Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped to make such a difference to these children and their parents."

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Harrogate Covid Co-Operation raises money for Xmas gifts for kids

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