Captain Cod’s Christmas Mission: Fleetwood Town Community Trust aims to deliver 500 presents to children and families this Christmas

Fleetwood Town Community Trust is calling on local businesses, organisations and residents to come together this Christmas, with an ambitious target of delivering 500 presents to children and families experiencing hardship across Fleetwood and the wider Fylde Coast.

Fleetwood Town Community Trust has launched its Captain Cod’s Christmas Mission, an appeal designed to spread festive cheer, support vulnerable families and ensure more children experience the excitement and happiness of receiving a Christmas present.

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for families facing financial pressures, with the cost of presents, food and everyday essentials placing additional strain on household budgets. Through this campaign, the Trust wants to bring the community together to support those who need it most and remind families that they are not alone.

The Trust’s ambition is to collect and distribute 500 presents to children aged 5–12, working with local schools, community partners and organisations to identify and support families who would benefit from additional help.

Supporting children and families across our community

The presents will be distributed through two key community initiatives in December.

On Thursday 17 December, the Trust will target local schools to help deliver presents to children from families experiencing hardship. Working with schools and their existing relationships with families, the aim is to reach children who may otherwise face a difficult Christmas.

Then, on Monday 21 December, the Trust will be out in the community delivering presents directly to families in need. This community outreach will focus on supporting parents and carers experiencing financial hardship or challenging circumstances, helping to bring some additional happiness and festive spirit into their homes.

By working alongside schools, community organisations and trusted local partners, the Trust hopes to ensure that donations reach the children and families who will benefit most from the campaign.

Local businesses unite to support the appeal

A number of local businesses and organisations have already committed to supporting Captain Cod’s Christmas Mission by acting as collection points from their offices and premises.

The businesses supporting the campaign are:

• HW Training Services
• PHH Solicitors
• Affinity Outlet
• WLG – West Lancs Group
• Brown & Co
• YESSS Electrical
• Jigglets
• Lab Creative
• Appletree

Their support will make it easier for members of the public to donate presents locally and help the Trust reach its target of 500 gifts.

Tom Hutton, CEO of Fleetwood Town Community Trust, said:

“Christmas is a time where the whole community should feel joy and happiness. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Working collaboratively with many passionate and likeminded partners, as a collective we are aiming to spread Christmas cheer to 500 young people across Fleetwood and Wyre. I would like to place on record my thanks to all partners and Fleetwood Town FC club staff and players for their outstanding support offered towards this campaign.“

What presents are we looking for?

The Trust is asking for donations of new, unwrapped presents suitable for boys and girls aged 5–12.

Suggested donations include:

• Footballs and sports equipment
• Games and puzzles
• Books
• Toys
• Arts and crafts
• Building sets
• Music and creative toys
• Stationery

Every present donated will help the Trust work towards its target of 500 gifts and make a meaningful difference to a child or family this Christmas.

How to get involved:

Residents can support Captain Cod’s Christmas Mission by donating a new, unwrapped present at one of the participating collection points listed above. Please contact the relevant business to confirm its collection arrangements before visiting.

Local businesses, organisations and community groups that would like to support the appeal, donate or find out more are encouraged to contact Fleetwood Town Community Trust.

For more information about Fleetwood Town Community Trust and its programmes, please contact community@fleetwoodtownfcct.com