A Caring Together appeal for people to donate chocolate selection boxes for young carers has seen more than 600 being donated.
Caring Together held the appeal with Huntingdon Tesco at Abbots Ripton Road throughout November asking people to buy and donate selection boxes costing £1-£2 for young carers across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk.
The amount donated was far above expectations meaning far more carers will be able to benefit from the generosity of the shoppers.
The first of the donated selection boxes were handed to young carers at Huntingdon Young Carers Christmas party on Sunday 2 December – a few hours of festive fun for young carers, bringing a much needed boost and break for them in the Christmas season.
Ella McKenzie, family carers co-ordinator, said: “We are so pleased with the amazing amount of support from people and really want to thank Huntingdon Tesco for their role in making this happen.
”It has been greatly appreciated with the appeal reaching over six times our original target! Along with festive themed games and dancing to classic Christmas tunes, Sunday’s party was a day of fun for the children and young people who came along.
“Seeing their eyes light up with the selection boxes kindly donated by local people, has been an absolute delight. These donations make a real difference to the lives of young carers and we are pleased the chocolate has brought them such smiles.”
Young carers can face daily challenges, such as balancing the responsibilities of being a carer with the demands of growing up. Christmas can be a difficult time for people, especially for young carers, who can find it particularly hard, reporting that Christmas day is “tougher” or “sadder” than the rest of the year.
Caring Together is grateful for people’s support for local young carers. On the back of the success of this appeal Harris & Hall café at the Huntingdon Tesco, have kindly set up a ‘giving tree’ to collect donated items for young carers to make their own Christmas hampers.
Find out more here: www.caringtogether.org/news/carers-christmas-gifts
