Hubb Christmas Appeal boosted by huge donation from JCB employees

JCB employees have helped Santa Claus to bring festive cheer to children and families across North Staffordshire this year after buying hundreds of gifts for the Hubb Foundation’s Christmas Appeal.

The company organised a special Secret Santa Gift Appeal to provide toys for local youngsters aged three to 17, who are supported by a range of charities, including the NSPCC.

Employees were encouraged to buy extra presents when Christmas shopping to donate to the scheme – and hundreds of gifts have flooded in, from teddies to model JCB Fastrac tractors, puzzles and colouring sets.

More than 200 gifts have been donated with the total number set to rise to more than 250 by next week. That figure has also been significantly boosted by a donation of toys worth £1,200 by the GMB Union and its members at JCB.

Kayleigh Macdonald, PA to JCB’s Group Human Resources Director, helped to organise the Secret Santa Appeal. She said: “It is wonderful to see so many people at JCB being so generous and thinking about people less fortunate than themselves. We have been overwhelmed with the response and the gifts just keep coming in.”

Among the employees who embraced the festive idea were Team Leader Nath Dunn and Production Operatives Tom Wilton and Mitch Brennan, who work at JCB Landpower, in Cheadle. As a result, they have collected a bumper set of presents from colleagues.

Nath said: “I’m so proud of my colleagues who have donated and grateful to JCB for co-ordinating this. If we can make just one child’s Christmas better this year, then we will have achieved our goal.”

Special toy collection boxes were set up at JCB’s Staffordshire factories. Many of the gifts will be handed out to young people who access services at the NSPCC’s Carole House, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, as well as through several other good causes that the company supports.

Hubb Foundation Chief Operating Officer Adam Yates said: “We are so grateful to JCB and its employees for their kindness and generosity. This donation, along with those of individuals, organisations and companies across the area, will make a significant difference to children across North Staffordshire this Christmas and bring a smile to many faces. This is community in action and shows the real spirit of Christmas.”

The Hubb Foundation’s 2021 Christmas Appeal is in conjunction with Port Vale FC, the Port Vale Foundation, Staffordshire Police and community champion Jason Powner.

It will see more than 5,000 presents and more than 600 Christmas dinners and festive food hampers delivered to homes of struggling families and isolated individuals in the run up the Christmas Day.

In addition, on December 25 a number of families will also enjoy a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings at Vale Park as well as receiving a sack full of presents.