Businesses across Altrincham are joining forces to help ensure local children and families in need have something special to look forward to this Christmas.
Altrincham BID, the organisation behind Visit Altrincham, has teamed up with the Little Green Sock Project to bring its Magical Christmas Gift Appeal to the town.
The initiative will see Christmas trees appear in shops and businesses across Altrincham, each decorated with special gift tags representing a local child who might otherwise go without a present this Christmas.
Customers, staff and visitors are invited to take a tag from one of the trees, buy the gift listed and return it unwrapped to the participating business.
The Little Green Sock Project will then collect the presents, match them with children referred to the charity by trusted local professionals and ensure they are delivered in time for Christmas.
All donated gifts must be returned before November 30.
Jake Shoes was the first Altrincham business to put up its Magical Christmas Tree, with more now appearing across the town.
Among the businesses taking part are Altytude Fitness, Aura Music Academy, Bridgfords Estate Agents, Circle Funerals, Goose Green Dental, Jake Shoes, Lund Bennett Law, Mabel's Cafe & Tea Room, Mathnasium of Altrincham, Myerson Solicitors, Oyez Arts at Altrincham Town Hall, Physical Fitness, Santander, Tesco Extra and The Stretch Station.
Altspace Coworking Office, Jobtrain, OMNI RMS and Realm Recruitment are also supporting the campaign by hosting trees for staff and clients.
Kate Gerbich, from Altrincham BID, said: "We're delighted to be working with the Little Green Sock Project on this lovely initiative.
"Christmas is a special time of year, but we know it can also be a difficult for some families.
"By bringing our local businesses and community together, we hope to make a real difference and ensure more local children have something special to open on Christmas morning."
Sophie Bell, from the Little Green Sock Project, said the support of Altrincham businesses and residents would make a real difference to families facing a difficult festive period.
"Every gift tag represents a child who might otherwise go without something special this Christmas," she said.
"The kindness and generosity of local businesses, their customers and the wider community will help bring smiles to children's faces and make a real difference to families who need a little extra support.
"It's wonderful to see the community coming together to spread some Christmas magic."
For more information about the Little Green Sock Project, visit littlegreensock.org
