Lincolnshire Co-op’s Secret Santa brings Christmas cheer to thousands in need

Hundreds of vulnerable people from communities in Lincolnshire and the surrounding area have felt the magic of Christmas this year, thanks to Lincolnshire Co-op’s Secret Santa scheme.

The campaign aimed to inspire the gift of giving and lift community spirit over Christmas by making it easy for people to donate to 72 different charities helping those struggling to provide for themselves and their families.

The co-operative encouraged three means of donating - bringing a food bank item into a food store, a toiletry and sanitary item into a pharmacy or a toy into a travel branch. Each food store, pharmacy and travel branch had a donation drop-off point, linked to a local charity to collect.

The last donations are still coming in for food banks and toiletry and sanitary banks and it’s believed to be an incredibly successful appeal, with thousands of items already donated. 3,345 presents have already been gifted to 14 toy banks.

Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

The society held a variety of donation drives to further raise funds including a food bank drive at Lincoln City Football Club, and a food, hygiene and toy drive at the Annual Members’ Meeting at The Lincolnshire Showground.

60 Lincolnshire Co-op colleagues also dedicated countless community hours to wrap gifts donated to Travel’s Toy Bank.

For the second year running, the team at the society’s Coningsby Food Store also donated over 100 toys to Barnardo's.

Emma Relton, Coningsby Food Store manager, realised there was an opportunity to support those in need at Christmas and suggested they could all donate a gift.

The team also support Coningsby and Tattershall Lions with their toy drive by wrapping donations, ready for countless vulnerable children and young adults to wake up to on Christmas morning.

“The generous response from my team has been so overwhelming and it brings me a huge sense of pride that everyone’s so committed to supporting their community; they all make me smile every day,” Relton said.

“There’s no better time to spread joy than during the festive season, and I hope we have inspired others to spread the magic of Christmas.”

Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacy in SwinesheadPhoto: Lincolnshire Co-op

Haven offers support and free housing to victims of domestic abuse, including toiletry hampers to help victims feel safe and secure upon arrival.

Chloe Waters, funding and communications manager at Haven Domestic Abuse Service, said: “On behalf of everyone at Haven, I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to those who have donated towards the Secret Santa campaign in Lincolnshire Co-op pharmacies.

“Every donation will make a huge difference over Christmas to the families we are supporting, especially when providing them with toiletry hampers upon arrival to our refuge.”

Grantham Food Bank linked with Lincolnshire Co-op’s Grantham food stores, Springfield Road and Barrowby, provides supplies for people in need and saw a 12 per cent increase in the meals it provided from 2023 to 2024.

“Many of our clients struggle to put food on the table in normal times and they feel even more pressure at Christmas, as well as buying presents and treats,” Dorothy Gaughan, co-ordinator at Grantham Foodbank, said.

“Every donation made is gratefully received and, thanks to Lincolnshire Co-op, we can further support people in crisis.”

Photo: Lincolnshire Co-op

Bridge Church in Lincoln, supported by Lincolnshire Co-op’s Lincoln travel branches on Tritton Road and at the Carlton Centre, has hosted its Christmas Sack Project since 2007 which supports local vulnerable families by providing toys and gifts.

Emma Kinsey, community aid project lead at Bridge Church in Lincoln, said: “The support and encouragement from Lincolnshire Co-op has been a huge blessing to us. Our Christmas Sacks project gets bigger year by year, and it’s incredible to see the city of Lincoln come together at its most vulnerable time.

“Thanks to the colleagues and customers of Lincolnshire Co-op Travel, every gift will support and bring joy to so many families, and there will be some very happy children waking up on Christmas morning with huge smiles and beautiful gifts.”

Sam Turner, community manager at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “It has been wonderful yet emotional to see the generous response from our communities, and how everyone can come together to help those in need provide for their families over Christmas.

“Thank you to everyone who has made a donation, to our colleagues and volunteers for using their own time to help wrap presents, and to our outlets for providing drop-off points.”