This week, the Everybody Foundation has donated £2,000 worth of toys including: mini sports sets, footballs, rugby balls, board games like Buckaroo, Monopoly, Operation and more to small, local charities who work with potentially vulnerable families across Cheshire East as part of the Christmas Toy Appeal.

The toy's donated by Everybody Health and Leisure were equally split between five charities and one media outlet including, The Salvation Army, Ruby's Fund, MyCWA, Cre8, The Welcome and Silk FM.

Hannah Whitley, Head of Grants and funding at Everybody Health and Leisure, said: "The Everybody Foundation has been donating toys to the Cheshire East community every Christmas for a few years now. Throughout the year, the Foundation has been giving out grants to local clubs to set up their own Hardship Funds, so we are aware of a big need out there in the community right now. We know these amazing local charities will distribute the toys to families who they serve diligently all year round and will be making some children very happy this Christmas!"

L-R:, John Perry Salvation Army volunteer, Richard Jones Area General Manager at Everybody, Paul Cartwright Assistant Manager at Everybody, Todd the Tiger Everybody Mascot, Hannah Whitley Grants and Funding Lead at Everybody & Heather Newton, Salvation Army Christmas Appeal Coordinator. Image credit: Everybody Foundation.

The Salvation Army is a worldwide Christian church and registered charity, which has been fighting against social inequality and transforming lives for over 150 years. The Salvation Army expresses its faith through charitable action by working at the heart of communities across the UK and Ireland.

Heather Newton, Salvation Army Christmas Appeal Coordinator volunteer shared: "At this point we have supported 2570 vulnerable children and Adults, I will continue to make up parcels for any emergencies until Christmas. We have bought £9000 worth of vouchers, £8000 of Christmas goody food and £2700 worth of toys along with the amazing donations that we have received."

L-R, Lee Malkin Sports Development Manager at Everybody, Natalie Taylor from Ruby's Fund, Todd the Tiger Everybody Mascot, Stephanie Garner from Ruby's Fund & Hannah Whitley Grants and Funding Lead at Everybody. Image credit: Everybody Foundation.

The mission of Ruby's Fund is to provide life changing support by means of specialist facilities and opportunities for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families, who live in Cheshire East.

Alison Parr, Operations and Impact Manager at The Ruby's Fund in Congleton, commented: "Ruby's and the children and families that we support are very grateful for the donation of Christmas toys. Without donations like this we are unable to help make Christmas a little brighter for those who need it the most. Thank you for choosing Ruby's."

L-R, Cre8 Charity: Sophie Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Aiken, Katy Waddle, Lee Malkin Sports Development Manager at Everybody & Hannah Whitley Grants and Funding Lead at Everybody. Image credit: Everybody Foundation.

My CWA is a Cheshire-based charity supporting individuals and families affected by domestic abuse. From a 24-hour helpline, crisis accommodation and recovery programmes, to practical support and behaviour change programmes; their whole family service is designed to help everyone impacted by domestic abuse.

Kate Ormerod, Fundraising Lead at MyCWA (Cheshire Without Abuse), expressed her appreciation, sharing:

"We are immensely thankful to Everybody Leisure for their generous contribution to our grotto. The support from our community and local organisations is crucial in enabling us to provide support to adults and children impacted by domestic abuse. Many of the people we support find Christmas a very challenging time, especially those in our refuge who have had to flee their homes due to abuse. This kind-hearted gesture not only helps give joy and comfort to the families we support, but it also sends a message from their local community of hope and care for their well-being."

Cre8 is a local charity which runs activities and services for children, young people, young adults, and their families, focusing on those who are at risk or hard to reach. Their social enterprise (Cre8 Facilities) employs young people and young adults doing commercial vehicle washing.

L-R, Hannah Whitley Grants and Funding Lead at Everybody alongside Lucy Page, Assistant Manager at The Welcome. Image credit: Everybody Foundation.

Finally, The Welcome provides people in Knutsford with a facility to learn, share, eat and grow through a range of activities, groups and services and build a strong and vibrant neighbourhood.

Visit here to find out more about what Everybody offers in the local community, and about their Foundation, careers, health programmes and more.