Lincolnshire Co-op Collects 4,562 Gifts for Local Families

When 10% of students at Boston Pioneers Academy received at least three Christmas gifts each this year, their parents cried tears of relief. This heartwarming moment was one of thousands made possible by Lincolnshire Co-op's Secret Santa campaign.

The cooperative placed donation boxes across 157 locations throughout Lincolnshire, including 101 food stores, 43 pharmacies, and 13 travel branches. Customers responded with overwhelming generosity during the Christmas season.

The final tally tells an impressive story. Community members donated 4,562 toys to local toy banks and 2,716 sanitary products to hygiene banks, including Lincoln County Hospital's Hygiene Hub. More than 43 food banks received support from the campaign.

The cooperative took the initiative beyond storefronts. At Lincoln City and Scunthorpe United football matches, special donation drives collected 424 food items, 189 gifts, 1,126 toiletries, and £204 in cash across two events. These drives were powered by 104 Lincolnshire Co-op employees who volunteered their time through company-funded volunteering hours.

The Ripple Effect

The donations reached far beyond individual families. At Boston Pioneers Academy, headteacher Jo Bland witnessed how the gifts transformed Christmas for struggling families. "It's emotional and heart warming to see the tears in parent's eyes when they receive presents for their children because it relieves a massive pressure from them," she said.

Lincoln County Hospital's Hygiene Hub serves long-term neurology patients who often lack basic toiletries. Staff Nurse Laura Whitworth explained how the seemingly simple donations changed patient care. "We all take toiletries for granted every day, but they are vital for not only our patients' hygiene but also their motivation to participate in rehabilitation," she said.

The impact on rehabilitation motivation highlights an often-overlooked truth. Basic dignity items like soap and shampoo can determine whether hospital patients engage in the therapy they need to recover.

Danielle Lowther, senior community coordinator at Lincolnshire Co-op, sees the campaign as a catalyst for year-round giving. "We hope that with initiatives like Secret Santa, we can inspire the joy of donating not only during Christmas but all year round," she said.

Seventy-two charities now have resources to continue serving their communities well into the new year.