The Salvation Army has got closer to sorting Christmas for some of the city’s neediest young children, thanks to the generosity of one York company. But says the Army’s community care ministry secretary, Beryl Holliday, the Citadel on Gillygate desperately needs more gifts for teenagers to make Christmas special for them too.

York Salvation Army helps make Christmas a more joyous occasion over 50 of York’s neediest families, providing food, gifts and help around the festive season for them as well as catering for the city’s homeless.

They rely on gifts from supporters, so were delighted when Harrison Developments arrived at Gillygate with soft toys and gifts, as part of its own Christmas giving programme. Harrison has already provided Christmas stock for a range of charity shops across North Yorkshire, including York Against Cancer’s Petergate store.

Says Beryl, who also organises gifts at harvest time: “All the families we help are referred to us by social services, doctors, churches or others and we do our best to help. This gift from Harrison is a real boost for us, but we still need more, especially for older children, to make up parcels to make Christmas special.”

Anyone who is able to help can contact the Citadel on 01904 630470.

Picture shows Beryl Holliday, community care ministry secretary, with a selection of the donated soft toys.