A woman from Accrington has kindly donated three cars worth of toys and one car full of food to charity as she didn't want anyone to go without this Christmas.
Lesley Chamberlain, 64, has gifted more than 200 toys to charity, Maundy Relief, this year to bring joy to children across Accrington and food to the Food Pantry to help families who are struggling during the cost-of-living crisis.
Previously donating to the Accrington Lions during Covid, Lesley decided to help Maundy Relief this year as families contonue to struggle.
Lesley said: “It all started during Covid when I went round the market and every conversation I overheard was heart-breaking.
“He’s lost his job, I’m on furlough, we can’t pay the mortgage and we can’t afford Christmas, these are just some examples of what I heard, and people were completely beside themselves and I came home, and it just really touched me, and I thought what can I do?
“So, I came up with the idea of dressing dolly’s, buying dolls from car boots, cleaning them up and dressing them.
“So, I messaged the President of the Accrington Lions, and I asked if I could donate dolls to the teens and toy appeal and she said yes.
“And now this year I thought I would do it again because it is even harder for people this year, even working people who had never struggled are now struggling and I thought I’ve got to do it again but this time for Maundy Relief.
“So, I dressed the dolls and took them down, I must have taken at least three cars full of toys to Maundy if not more.
“I must have done all in all more than 200 toys for kids this year.”
Lesley not only dresses the dolls, but she also gift wraps them in beautifully wrapped boxes which are then cellophaned with a Christmas bow on top to make the presents have the 'wow factor'.
Within the toy appeal Lesley also donated toys for boys and food for families to the Food Pantry.
Lesley said times are hard and it doesn’t hurt to be a little bit nicer.
She said: “Life is hard enough and if you can just make it nicer, just that little bit nicer, why not?
“We’re only here once, its not a dress rehearsal so why not be the best person you can be?”
Lesley said the woman who runs Maundy Relief was overwhelmed and she has had no single person on their own donating this much, she said she could cry.
A spokesperson for Maundy Relief said: “Huge thanks to our supporter, Lesley, who has prepared over 30 magnificent doll presents to donate to children in need in Hyndburn this Christmas.
“The amount of effort and attention to detail that Lesley has dedicated to this task is truly commendable, thank you!”
Lesley said she is now going to be donating toys in 2023 too, and she is already collecting toys if people want to support.
Share