L-R: Rob Millington, Newfriars College, Leanne Robinson, Community Junction Café and Steve Rushton, Training and Business Solutions Ltd
Apprenticeship and training specialist Steve Rushton has praised the astonishing generosity of people in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme following the success of an appeal to spread a little Christmas cheer.
Steve teamed up with Newfriars College, Bucknall, to collect Christmas gifts for children and young people, and the response has been incredible.
“I’ve been blown-away by the generosity of spirit among our local community,” said Steve. “I knew people would want to help, but the generosity of local residents and the business community has exceeded expectations.
“I decided to devote the first 12 evenings in December to a Christmas present collection, but it has gone crazy with hundreds of gifts and donations of money to buy more presents.
“I knew people would want to help, but the generosity of local residents and the business community has exceeded expectations.”
Following an appeal on social media, Steve has been inundated with gifts of toys and toiletries.
He said: “People have contacted me from far and wide and we’ve even received a package full of gifts from my brother and sister-in-law in Australia.
“Local companies, such as Staffordshire Construction Services, Virtue (Staffs) Ltd, Forrester Holdings and Hopton Lettings Ltd, have pulled out all the stops to help.
“I also want to thank staff and customers of the Travellers Rest, Bucknall, members of Totally Staffordshire networking and the Sir Stanley Matthews BNI chapter which made a generous £200 donation.
Steve, of Training and Business Solutions Ltd, teamed up with Newfriars Special School to launch a Christmas appeal.
Now he’s delivered boxes full of presents to the Community Junction cafe, Andrew Place, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Rob Millington, Head of Newfriars College, said: “Steve’s generosity in organising this collection is incredible. We know Steve through his work with apprentices and we’re delighted to be working with him to support youngsters from Newfriars.”
Newfriars College, Castle Grove, Bucknall, is an independent specialist day dedicated to supporting young people with learning difficulties and disabilities aged 16–25.
Community Junction cafe was founded earlier this year and provides opportunities for Newfriars’ students to prepare for adult life. Around 21 students currently work part time in the café, learning how to prepare and cook healthy meals, to take orders, and serve customers.
