Caring Connections, Lightbody Health CIC and One Knowsley launched the Carry that Christmas Challenge this year.
On Saturday 16th December the challenge had over 30 individuals carrying toys 12km around Liverpool city centre all with the aim of raising awareness of the impact of child poverty at Christmas. The walk started at the Anglican cathedral and visited several of Liverpool’s famous sights, Liverpool One, Albert Dock, Liver Buildings, Town Hall, Matthew Street, Bombed out Church and Liverpool’s Metropolitan cathedral.
The walk consisted of lots of Christmas characters including Buddy the Elf, Disney Princesses, and the Grinch. The team also constructed their very own sleigh which was situated outside of Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral receiving donations for toys.
Paul Growney CEO Caring Connections stated ‘we are so proud of the success of this event and hopefully we get to help some families out at a tough time of the year. Centrally we hope that we have helped further raise the issue of child poverty of some of the inequalities that exist across our region’.
Through the kind donations of walk participants and individuals in the community the event collected over 350 new toys. All toys now being donated to families in poverty across Knowsley, One Knowsley has helped coordinate donation process working with several local groups working with families in need.
Michelle Adamson volunteer Lightbody Health ‘The event was so fun, people in the city were so happy to see the characters. Even though we were trying to promote a very serious issue we brought smiles to lots of peoples faces on the day. The toys we collected were excellent and cant wait to start the donation process’.