Christmas Charity Round-Up

Local businesses and their employees excelled themselves once again supporting local charities through a variety of activities and donations. Here is a round up of just some of the activities that took place in the lead up to Christmas. 

Christmas Appeals 

This year’s toy drive saw businesses donate over 250 toys to local charity nurseries located in Church Street area, just north of Marylebone station – Newpin, IMPS, and The Portman Early Childhood Centre – ensuring that children whose parents are facing hardship and poverty received a gift at Christmas.  

In addition to this, over 100 food parcels were donated to local families and vulnerable individuals, with basic food items alongside some festive gifts and treats. 

A big thank you to the businesses that took part. If you would like to register your interest for next year’s appeals, get in touch with Hannah here.   

Volunteering 

Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill donated time to COSMIC – the charity that supports the children’s and neonatal intensive care units at St Mary’s & Queen Charlotte’s Hospital. The team decorated the ward and the playroom, and delivered sweet treats to families. They also carried out a fundraising event for the charity in the leadup to Christmas. In addition to this, the team provided over 100 Christmas meals for the women at the Marylebone Project. 

Colliers supported the King Soloman Academy Christmas Fair, helping make the event magical for the children and families, including dressing up as Santa and handing out reindeer food. They also made a financial donation.  

Forsters took part in present-wrapping at The Marylebone Project and made a financial donation as well as toys/gifts to Home-Start Westminster. 

Selfridges delivered a card-making workshop at Penfold Community Hub. 

There are plenty of volunteering opportunities that run throughout the year. Visit our Smarter Giving pages for more information, or get in touch with Hannah to register your interest. 

Christmas Charity Raffle 

This year, ticket sales raised just over £2,000 for our charity of the year, Young Westminster Foundation, which supports local services for all young people growing up in Westminster so that they can grow up healthy, safe and happy. This has been added to the £1,800 already raised through our wellbeing sessions last year. A big thank you to all that bought tickets to support this incredible charity. 

About Smarter Giving 

Our Smarter Giving initiative facilitates relationships between our member businesses and local charities and community groups. We have a special interest in the Church Street Ward, an area just north of Marylebone Road, that has historically had many social and economic challenges, and we work with an array of grass-root organisations from homeless support centres and sheltered housing for the elderly, to charity nurseries and local schools. Find out more and how to get involved here.