Churchill Square is once again teaming up with local charity, Rockinghorse for the return of the shopping centre’s Giving Tree campaign, in which the local community is invited to donate Christmas presents for local children.
From Thursday 1 December, three Giving Trees will be situated on the east, west and lower central malls and will be decked out with special tags, each one outlining a gift to buy and the store it’s from. Shoppers will be able to take one and purchase the item, which is to be dropped off – unwrapped and with the tag – at the customer service desk up until 5.30pm on Christmas Eve.
Last year saw more than 370 gifts worth a staggering £4,046 donated to Rockinghorse, the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, who raise money to provide life-saving equipment and specialist services for babies, children and their families, throughout Sussex.
Mark Buchanan-Smith, Centre Director at Churchill Square, is hoping to build on the success of 2021, he said: “Our Giving Tree initiative is now in its twelfth year and each time the generosity of the community really touches us.
“Being able to deliver so many gifts to Rockinghorse last Christmas meant so much to us, the charity and most importantly the families and children who are unwell at this special time of year. We’re looking forward to making it bigger and better for 2022 and we hope our shoppers will once again dig deep when they are out shopping this festive period. We know that lots of very special children will receive a wonderful surprise,” said Mark.
Amanda Hetherington, Corporate Engagement Manager at Rockinghorse, said: “We are so delighted to be supported again this year by Churchill Square Shopping Centre. The hugely popular Giving Tree campaign means that Rockinghorse can provide presents to children in The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital over the Christmas period, where Rockinghorse are the official fundraising arm.
“These presents really will make things a little better for poorly children that are facing such a difficult time in our local Sussex area.”
