B31 Voices & Morrisons in Rubery have issued thanks to the community for their generous donations to their Christmas Toy Appeal for local charities – in spite of cost-of-living pressures.
For the last six years, the Rubery store has partnered with local community organisation B31 Voices to collect Christmas gifts for local children in need.
Donations of toys and gifts were to be distributed to children and teenagers in south west Birmingham through two charities that support women and children who are affected by domestic violence and families in need.
Hundreds of new toys and gifts were donated by the community to:
Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid (BSWA) support women and children both during and after domestic violence and are facing high demand this year. They will distribute your gifts to children and young people both in their local refuge and those in our communities, who are part of their intensive family support programme.
Birmingham Forward Steps (Northfield District) supports families with young children. Run by renowned children’s charity Barnardos, Northfield Forward Steps is based at Frankley Plus Children’s Centre and serves families across the Northfield district.
Morrisons Rubery Community Champion Jane Williams said: “Our chosen charities this year both support children in need locally. These two amazing charities do such great work supporting children affected by poverty and domestic abuse and their families.
“Thanks to all who donated, in spite of pressures they may be feeling themselves, helping us to help our future generation.”
On behalf of Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, Anna Fawcett said: “We have had amazing support from the local community in recent years, and once again the wonderful folks from the south west Birmingham area have helped us out with Christmas gifts for women and children experiencing domestic abuse in Birmingham and Solihull.
“Christmas should be a time for giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, and we’re now able to spread lots of festive cheer with gifts and toys for little ones and their Moms, who through no fault of their own are living in very difficult circumstances.”
B31 Voices director Sas Taylor said: “We’ve been blown away by just how generous people have been this year, especially when so many families are struggling with the rising cost of living. The last two years have been so challenging, especially for those who were already under immense pressure, dealing with domestic violence or already struggling financially.
“Yet again, it is such an honour to be able to work with Morrisons to help put smiles on local children’s faces this Christmas and it is truly humbling how the community always gets behind this appeal.”
Photos: Morrisons Rubery (Jane Williams, Community Champion; Mike Jeavons, Store Manager; Ruth Masters, People Manager) and B31 Voices (Sas Taylor, Director) hand over your donated toys and gifts to representatives from Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid and Northfield District Forward Steps (Frankley Children’s Centre), assisted by Councillor Simon Morrall.
BVoices is committed in supporting communities across south west Birmingham and surrounding by keeping them informed and engaged. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Send us local story ideas to hello@b31.org.uk