The workers at the Holywood Road office donated a gift to four schools
The staff at an NI job centre have given a gift to every child at four special schools in order to spread some joy this Christmas.
The Holywood Road Jobs and Benefits office workers donated selection boxes and sensory toys to all the children who attend Tor Bank Special School, Mitchell House, Greenwood House Assessment Centre and Clarawood School, as they hoped to put smiles on people’s faces and get everyone into the festive spirit.
It is the second annual toy appeal held by the office after a succesful first one last year where they managed to donate presents to two schools. This year they managed to get twice as many donations with around 500 children getting a present.
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Bethany Hughes, who’s dad Glenn Hughes has helped run the gift appeal, said she was very proud of her father and everyone at the Holywood Road office, saying they hope that it can also create more awareness about the importance of helping vulnerable children and the wonderful schools that support them and their families.
She said: “I used to work at Tor Bank and last year my dad said he would do something to get a present for all of the children who were in my class. He asked for a bit of help in his office and everyone started to get involved and in the end they had managed to get a gift for not just every child at the school, but a second one too.
“This year the team did the same thing again and were able to get selection boxes and sensory toys for children at four schools in the Belfast area and recently visited them all to deliver them.
“I am just so proud of my dad and his coworkers for everything they have done this year for the schools. They have seen what supportive and caring places they are and hopefully this can also show people how important it is to support them and encourage others to do the same.”
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