Three Evans Halshaw Ford sites will be supporting Blackburn based not-for-profit organisation, Secret Santa, during the run up to Christmas this year by providing them with a ‘Secret Santa’ van.
The charity works alongside Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Children’s Services Department in a bid to ensure that underprivileged children across the borough have a sack of presents to open on Christmas morning.
Phil and Karen Boulding, founders of Secret Santa, spend all year fundraising in order to purchase seven items for each ‘Santa sack’. Last year the charity distributed 700 sacks and this year they aim to provide a sack for every single disadvantaged child at the heart of who Childrens services engage with, and it will also provide a Christmas party meal for 250 elderly, lonely people in the community.
Secret Santa relies heavily on donations and this year the team at Evans Halshaw Ford Transit Centre in Manchester are giving them a helping hand by providing a Transit van which will be used by the charity to collect and distribute donations and gifts. The initiative is also supported by Ford Preston and Ford Blackburn.
Commercial Graphics specialist, Vinyl Graphics, who are based at Ford Manchester Transit Centre, has personalised the vehicle in wrap-around Secret Santa branding, free of charge. Phil and Karen will pick the van up at the beginning of December and it will be at their disposal for the rest of the festive period.
Warren Marsden, Regional Director at Evans Halshaw commented: “When I heard about Secret Santa and the hard work that Phil and Karen do all year round to give disadvantaged parents a sense of self respect, hope for the kids and a sense of contentment from all those who contribute to this special cause, I felt compelled to help out.
“We can really help to light up some children’s faces this Christmas by doing something so simple.”
Phil and Karen Boulding, founders of Secret Santa said: “We couldn’t do what we do without the help of local businesses and Evans Halshaw Ford have been simply amazing. This gesture is so incredible we’re still pinching ourselves to make sure it’s real!
“We can’t wait to see the faces of local children light up when the fully decorated Secret Santa van begins touring the streets of Blackburn and Darwen in the run up to Christmas.”
Make sure you’re on the lookout for the van which will be driving around Blackburn and Darwen over the next few weeks, collecting and delivering gifts and donations. If you spot the van and take a photo of it and share it with us to be in for a chance of winning a Christmas hamper worth £200!
