Help make Christmas countdown special for poorer Grantham families
People say that money can’t buy happiness but one mum has found the perfect way to turn just one pound into 24 smiles.
Marie Pears is co-ordinating an appeal to spread a little festive cheer in the run up to Christmas. She is hoping to collect 1,000 advent calendars which will be handed out to the most deserving people across the area.
Advent calendars can be delivered to the following Grantham collection points until Wednesday, November 27: Lincolnshire Meat Co Ltd, Dysart Road (Monday to Thursday between 9am and 2pm); Amy Moran, 144 Harrowby Road, Grantham.
Marie has been working with social services, foodbanks and charities for four years to reach out to those in need.
She said: “It’s about bringing the community together and raising awareness that there are people on their own who need some help.
“One calendar equals 24 smiles and lets them know that the community cares.”
Marie is co-ordinating the appeal through her Facebook group Here to Help Others, which has around 1,500 members.
Last year 767 advent calendars were donated but she hopes to top 1,000 this year.
She mostly works with foodbanks, social services, the Evergreen Care Trust and MindSpace Stamford to find people who would benefit from the
gesture.
She is a single mum to her 12-year-old son, Logan Bell, and knows first-hand how it feels when life becomes a struggle.
She said: “I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to ask other people for help and to know there are other people who have been in your situation and are willing to help is really important.
“There’s so much pressure and demand for children to be in the right labels with the right gadgets.
“I do it because I want to make a bit of a difference.”
Marie, an accounts manager in Grantham, added: “If I won the lottery I would give up work and concentrate on this full time.
“I would open a big warehouse with clothing, furniture, and all the other things people might need under one roof.”
Advent calendar collections are already under way at different locations across the district.
Marie and Logan will also visit the homeless in Peterborough on Christmas Eve and the animal shelters in Wansford and
Bourne.
To support the appeal, find Here to Help Others on Facebook or e-mail mariepears28@hotmail.co.uk
