‘Tis the season of goodwill and nowhere is this more apparent than in the activities of businesses of all shapes and sizes throughout the Chester area.

Staff at various companies have been running toy appeals, donating to foodbanks and visiting care homes among many other activities, all with the aim of spreading some festive cheer to good causes.

Sainsbury's

As part of their Toy Appeal, Sainsbury’s store in Boughton asked customers and colleagues to donate toys, books and stationery items to give to Women’s Aid.

Store manager Adrian Clarke said: “We gathered 148 items in total and we’re delighted to help out this wonderful charity.”

Staff will also be wearing their Christmas jumpers next Friday (December 18) to raise money for their charity of the year the Hospice of the Good Shepherd .

Sainsburys, Chester toy appeal for the Women's Aid. L-R: Sandra Rudd and Tonina Cappadona (Womens Aid) Mike Bolland deputy manager, Jen Byrne acting PR ambassador, Adrian Clarke store manager, store colleagues Dan Jackson and Sharon Mills and Fiona Ward (Women's Aid)
Sandra Rudd and Tonina Cappadona, of Women's Aid, Mike Bolland, Sainsbury's deputy manager, Jen Byrne acting PR ambassador, Adrian Clarke store manager, and staff Dan Jackson and Sharon Mills with Fiona Ward (of Women's Aid)

Co-op

Chester Co-operative Local Forum have donated some special items for children from the Co-operative Christmas range to the West Cheshire Foodbank.

Kathy Ricketts said: “We hope this will add a little sparkle to foodbank users who have children. We are delighted that we could help. It’s about an active local group supporting others in need.”

Chester Co-operative local forum pioneer Kathy Ricketts (left) and member Francis Langman are pictured donating items from the Co-operative Christmas range to Leon Wolszczak at one of the local foodbank collection points
Chester Co-operative local forum pioneer Kathy Ricketts (left) and member Francis Langman donate items to Leon Wolszczak at a foodbank collection point

Tesco

Staff from the Tesco Extra store on Broughton Retail Park donned Santa hats and delivered a sack full of presents to residents at the Warrendale Cottage Residential Care Home. Store colleagues chatted to residents and put on a quiz

Store manager Moyra Postlewhite said: “We all had such a lovely time at Warrendale Cottage. The residents and staff were very friendly and welcoming and seemed to enjoy the treats we took along. We really appreciate the support we receive from the local community and so it is nice when we can give something back.”

Tesco Broughton visited residents at the Warrendale Cottage Care Home to deliver mulled wine, mince pies and Christmas presents
Tesco Broughton staff at Warrendale Cottage Care Home

Royal Mail

Staff at Royal Mail sorting office in Birkenhead are taking time in their busy festive schedules to support the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Backford.

They are selling raffle tickets to their colleagues, friends and family for the chance to win a special Christmas pudding, made by the head chef at the hospice using one of the original founder’s recipe.

Delivery office manager at the sorting office Neal Jones said: “Christmas is a time of giving and the Royal Mail are busy ensuring packages are delivered to people in time for Christmas.

“We thought it would be great to do something that would give something back and are delighted that we are supporting the Hospice of the Good Shepherd this year.”

Staff from Royal Mail sorting office in Birkenhead Jim Curry, Chris Whitley, Paul Lynne, Adam Sykes, Steven Reid, Neil jones (delivery office manager) and Chris Cunningham will be raising funds for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd
Staff from Royal Mail sorting office in Birkenhead Jim Curry, Chris Whitley, Paul Lynne, Adam Sykes, Steven Reid, Neil jones (delivery office manager) and Chris Cunningham

Pesto

A Tarporley Italian restaurant is supporting Radio City’s Mission Christmas Appeal by becoming a gift donation station for needy children this festive season.

The charity hopes kind restaurant-goers will donate a toy or gift when they visit Pesto at Cabbage Hall on Forest Road this December which will then be given to a child in need over the Christmas period.

General manager Laura Shannon said: “When we heard about Radio City’s Mission Christmas Appeal we wanted to help out any way we could. Not only are our employees donating toys and gifts of all varieties, but we wanted to give our customers an opportunity to get involved by making it even easier for them to donate too.

“We can’t imagine being a young child or a teenager and having nothing to open on Christmas morning so are very grateful of any donations we receive from our customers as we know these will help keep Christmas special for those families affected by poverty.”

Pesto Manager Laura Shannon starts the donations for Radio City's Mission Christmas appeal
Laura Shannon starts the donations for Radio City's Mission Christmas appeal