A group of volunteers that helped to provide Christmas gifts to local children in need during the 2023 festive period, have recently announced that they will be continuing their support across the community throughout the year.
‘Launceston Christmas Angels’, run by Michele and Chloe Perrin, came about in the later part of 2023, in order to support families who may be struggling to buy their children a Christmas gift.
The festive season can be magical, but it also comes with overwhelming pressure to buy, buy, buy. For some, this is simply not possible, and so Michele - the brainchild of the project - wanted to step in to help local families.
Michele knows only too well the situation that many people in the UK face. She said: “When my daughter was four years old, her dad passed away suddenly, leaving me working three jobs, struggling
financially and not being able to provide for my daughter like I should have been - there was no one to help me!”
It was in 2022 when she decided she was going to help one family in the local area. She reached out, and one family soon turned into five. She received a lot of support from the community, who donated presents, food and treats from an Amazon wish list to be wrapped up and delivered to the five families. “Without a doubt, my mind was made up that I was going to do it again for Christmas 2023, in the hope that I’d be able to help even more families,” Michele said.
And sure enough, once the festive season arrived in 2023, the community came together in their masses to donate to the cause. Little did Michele know just how big her project would become, with 37 families and 85 children needing support.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without the help of the generous residents in Launceston,” Michele said. “My mind has been blown by the sheer generosity of donations that I have had. I’ve had blankets, hot water bottles, tonnes of toys for children of all ages donated both through the wishlist and in person, by amazing individuals.”
As well as donations from local residents, Michele also received support from The Park Cornwall, who fundraised to provide much-needed nappies and toys, and Charlie Bears in Launceston, who presented 50 bears to be given to some of the children. Ergo, Terry Graves Electrical, Keith Hopper Electrical, the White Horse, Launceston Cycles, Bridge Church and the Cash family were also key contributors to the project over Christmas.
Michele added: “A donation that will stay in my mind forever were parent gifts donated in memory of two little boys that were sadly taken too soon: Bobby and Freddy.”
Christmas Angels has made it clear just how many families there are in and around Launceston that desperately need some support, which is why Michele has decided to continue the project all year round, providing new and preloved clothes and toys to local children as birthday presents.
She said: “We have already made a great start to 2024 with donations coming in already, which has been absolutely amazing, but we are going to need continued support throughout the year to be able to help the families that really do need it.
“It’s very sad to say that you never know what is around that corner and when you may be left in such an awful position. No one should ever feel ashamed to reach out.”
So, how can you help? Michele has already got a unit set up on Pennygillam Industrial Estate for donations to be dropped off: Christmas Angels, Unit 8 Douglas Business Park, Pennygillam Industrial Estate, PL15 7FU. You can also make a donation via Christmas Angels’ Amazon wish list, which can be found on their Facebook page.
Christmas Angels is a non-profit organisation, and the team is only a message away for anyone who finds themselves in a difficult position.