Lincolnshire Co-op’s Secret Santa campaign has been announced for 2026, and will see 70 local charities benefit from donations, including 43 food banks, 15 toiletry and sanitary appeals and 12 toy banks.
The campaign is described as a full community effort, with over 50 local partners including schools, community groups and businesses running Secret Santa collections for it.
Local communities can contribute by donating food into Lincolnshire Co-op stores or hygiene items into pharmacies. The scoiety’s colleagues and teams will also be volunteering at donation drives and present wrapping events.
Football fans can also donate at Lincoln City, Peterborough United, Boston United and Scunthorpe United throughout the entire campaign and selected home games.
In addition, there will be lots of donation opportunities throughout the festive period, including at the Society’s Annual Members’ Meeting in December.
Boxes of Hope
The Boxes of Hope CIC charity in Holbeach is one local toy appeal being supported through the Christmas campaign, linked with Lincolnshire Co-op’s travel branch in Spalding.
Amanda Baxter, MD at Boxes of Hope, set up the charity in 2022 during the Ukrainian war, helping to provide relief for families fleeing their homes.
Since then, it has collected enough donations to fill 30 18-tonne lorries and has expanded to support anyone who needs help locally, working with local organisations to provide practical and emotional support.
Baxter said: “Throughout the year, we stay in contact with the families we’ve supported with wellbeing check-ins, and in the lead up to Christmas many share concerns about managing the extra demands at this time of year.
“We do everything we can to help make the festive period memorable, including a trip to the local pantomime funded entirely by Boxes of Hope and providing Christmas treats and presents through donations made to us.”
Not visible
Danielle Lowther, Lincolnshire Co-op’s senior community co-ordinator, said: “Christmas can be a difficult time for many people, but often the challenges someone is facing aren’t always visible to those around them.
“Our Secret Santa campaign is a simple way for our communities to come together, spread joy and help local families and individuals who may otherwise go without.
“We’re proud to support charities doing so much to support people in need, and we’re grateful to every member, customer and colleague who will get involved.”
No comments yet