Sefton’s successful Year of Friendship is drawing to a close and we’re excited to announce that the final theme for December is ‘Giving’.

For many people in Sefton, the festive period can be especially difficult so we want to encourage as many people as possible to do what they can to offer a token of friendship whether it’s by donating to a foodbank, supporting the Mayors Toy Appeal or even joining in on Sefton 4 Good’s Christmas Jumper Day.

There are lots of collections and awareness days taking place throughout December and there are opportunities to get involved in lots of different things across the borough. Local people are encouraged to give what they can, even if it’s just signposting someone to a helpful group or service.

Here are a few of the things you can support this month across Sefton:

Sefton 4 Good’s Christmas Jumper Day

Sefton 4 Good is encouraging people from a across to Sefton to wear a Christmas Jumper to work on Friday, 13 December.

Donations are welcomed and all funds raised will support the Sefton 4 Good Grant Pot which helps local causes in Sefton.

To donate to Sefton 4 Good you can text ‘SEFTON’ followed by the amount to 70085.

The Mayor’s Toy Appeal

You can make Christmas extra special for some of Sefton’s vulnerable children by getting behind the Mayor’s Christmas Toy appeal.

New gifts unwrapped for children of all ages, can be taken to either Bootle, Maghull or Southport Town Halls or dropped off at any Sefton Council library or leisure centre by Wednesday, 18 December. Gift tokens are particularly welcome to be given to older children.

All presents will then be distributed to children and young people throughout the borough by volunteers from Sefton Council and Sefton Children’s Trust on behalf of the Mayor.

For further information on the Mayor’s Christmas Gift Appeal please call 07837863075.

Sefton Food Bank Network – Reverse Advent Calendar

Residents are encouraged to support Sefton’s Food banks this festive period and this year Sefton food banks have launched a Reverse Advent Calendar which encourages more people to give, rather than receive, this Christmas.

The calendar gives a suggested donation for each day of the Advent and includes essential items like tinned tomatoes, tinned potatoes, instant mash and tinned fruit as well as toiletries and Christmas items like chocolate, nuts, stuffing and gravy.