M.E.N Christmas campaign smashes target as two whopping donations add £11k to appeal

The Manchester Evening News' Christmas appeal has smashed its target, after two whopping donations have added more than £11,000 to the appeal.

We've partnered with Blackley-based foodbank Humans MCR for the third year in a row to support their Nobody Hungry at Christmas campaign. On December 23 they will deliver festive hampers stacked with Christmas dinner ingredients, presents and treats to over 1,000 people across Greater Manchester who may otherwise go without.

Last year, our campaign raised £13,844, thanks to the generosity of our readers, and friend of the paper Michael Josephson, who pledged to match all donations made. But with the appeal currently standing at £8k already - and another £5k donation pending - we could be on track to double that.

READ MORE: Manchester foodbank to feed over 1,000 people this Christmas

A whopping £6,200 was donated today (December 11) from Julie Perry Events. It was part of the proceeds from the celebrity event planner's annual Christmas charity lunch, held last week on December 6 at the Lowry Hotel.

Described as a 'glitzy' and 'super-glam' event by the M.E.N's Dianne Bourne, it was attended by a host of local celebrities, influencers and footballers' wives.

And another £5,000 is due to come from Andrew Geddes, vice president at Glaukos, a medical technology and pharmaceutical company specialising in the treatment of eye diseases.

Altogether, it will mean over £11k will be added to the appeal, taking it well over its 10k target, alongside the generous donations our readers have made previously.

And it will mean Humans are fully equipped to go ahead with their appeal on December 23, in which they plan to deliver generous Christmas hampers of food, toys and treats to 253 addresses across Greater Manchester, representing 1,022 people.

We may be on track to pass our initial target, but the more money we raise, the better, to support this fantastic charity who are making a real difference across our region - and who almost had to close earlier this year due to a drop in funding. You can donate to the appeal here.

Humans support hundreds of people every week by delivering vital food parcels to clients' doorsteps in unmarked vans, so that to neighbours, it looks like any other food delivery.

And they give users ample choice over what they eat, from dietary requirements such as vegan, gluten-free and halal, down to the small details like whether they would prefer rice or pasta, veg or meat soup, custard vs rice pudding in their parcel.

It all forms part of Humans' ethos: allowing clients to access their vital service with the same dignity afforded to those shopping in any ordinary supermarket.

“I want people to eat food that they are familiar with, that is comforting to them,” said Lewey. “Because otherwise there is no dignity in that delivery.”

Volunteers at Humans previously told the Manchester Evening News how big of an impact the festive appeal has on people who need it.

"It was utterly humbling to see what Christmas was going to be like for our clients," said Sarah, who has volunteered at Humans for more than two years.

“I’ve seen with my own eyes how it really does make a difference to the people that need it: people that wouldn’t have Christmas dinner, wouldn’t have any presents.”

“This really does save their Christmas. It’s beautiful.”

Humans are still looking for volunteer drivers to help deliver the hampers on the morning of December 23. If you could spare an hour or so on the day and think you can help, please sign up here.

They are also asking for donations of toys for children; you can find the wishlist here.