Fareham Shopping Centre is spreading festive cheer this Christmas by supporting the Santa for a Senior gift-giving drive.
In partnership with the local charity Home Instead Fareham and The Crafty Makery, the centre is once again proudly backing the Give a Gift campaign this festive season. This generous initiative encourages individuals to donate presents to those who might not otherwise receive one. With a special focus on the Santa for a Senior campaign, the aim is to provide gifts to elderly members of the community who may feel isolated, lonely, or otherwise unable to fully enjoy Christmas celebrations.
Everyone is encouraged to support the cause, regardless of the size of the donation. Those wishing to contribute are asked to purchase items listed below from stores within the centre and place them in the life-sized donation box near Café Giardino, from 20th November to 20th December.
In previous years, more than 200 gifts were donated, which were distributed to local organisations including Community First Festive Lunches, the Methodist Housing Association, Gosport Christmas Lunch, the Older Persons’ War Memorial Hospital, and Fareham Women’s Refuge.
The centre kindly asks shoppers to place their donations in the box unwrapped, as a dedicated team of volunteers will ensure that the gifts are carefully wrapped before being distributed to the recipients.
Mike Taylor, Centre Manager, said: “The Give a Gift campaign is a wonderful initiative, and the Santa for a Senior campaign focuses on giving to the elderly members of our community, who may otherwise feel isolated during the festive season. It truly embodies the spirit of Christmas and encourages kindness and generosity.”
Accepted donations are:
Gloves – men’s and ladies
Scarves – men’s and ladies
Woolly hats – men’s and ladies
Toiletries gift packs – men’s and ladies
Jigsaw Puzzles
Colouring books and pens / pencils
Boxes of biscuits
Throws / lounge blankets
Slippers – men’s and ladies
Puzzle Books
Sudoku Books
Craft Kits
Handkerchief sets
Hand Warmers
Nostalgia books – especially anything local
Please note – alcohol and food items are not permitted in the donation box.
