Local Businesses Unite to 'Make Christmas Brighter' for Families with the YWCA Yorkshire Christmas Appeal
Local charity YWCA Yorkshire, has launched its annual Christmas Appeal, urging the community to help bring comfort and joy to families rebuilding their lives after facing homelessness, domestic abuse, and financial hardship. The charity has already secured impressive support from local corporate partners to kickstart its efforts in Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield.
A host of committed businesses have pledged their support to the 2025 Christmas Appeal, including Next, Roy Hatfield, B&Q, IKEA, Mway Comms, OEC Sheffield, Reed, Seven Hills Creative, Tilbury Douglas, Wesco Anixter, WRS Solutions, and Chapter II. Their generosity will ensure vulnerable families feel safe and supported this festive season.
YWCA Yorkshire supports 800 people across South Yorkshire to create better futures for themselves and their families. Christmas time can be particularly difficult for families who often access the charity because they are fleeing unsafe situations. YWCA Yorkshire Chief Executive, Diane Offers, explains: “Christmas can be a tough time for the families we support - especially those who are starting over after experiencing trauma, abuse, or homelessness.
“The early pledges from our corporate partners have been heart-warming and by working together we believe that we can ensure that none of the people we support are left behind this Christmas. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be spreading the appeal message far and wide, connecting with generous supporters who believe, as we do, that every family deserves to feel loved and cared for.
“By supporting the appeal, you’ll directly help women like Molly who fled a domestic abuser with her young child last Christmas and was re-homed in one of our furnished houses. With the support of our incredible community, Molly was able to rebuild her life in a new home and give her daughter the Christmas she'd always dreamt of.”
The commitments pledged by local businesses, alongside donations from the public, will ensure that all YWCA Yorkshire families have access to festive activities and have a gift to open on Christmas Day.
There are three ways to make one big impact this Christmas at YWCA Yorkshire.
1. Donate to Support a Family: Monetary gifts help fund vital services. For example, £50 could fund specialist support sessions for women escaping domestic abuse, and £100 could help provide a warm, safe place for a mother and child over Christmas. Donations can be made via the JustGiving page. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ywcachristmasappeal2025
2. Buy from the Amazon Wishlist: Make giving direct and easy by purchasing toys, gifts, and essentials that go straight to a family in need via the official Amazon Wishlist. https://amzn.eu/grgcg7j
3. Drop Off a Gift: New, unwrapped presents for women, children, or families can be dropped off during office hours (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday) at YWCA Yorkshire services in Sheffield (Peile House, 255 Pitsmoor Road, S3 9AQ), Rotherham (Fleming Gardens, 11 Fleming Gardens, S66 2EY), or Doncaster (Green Gables, Flat 9 Wath Road, S64 9ED).
About their support, Mark Hatfield, Director at Roy Hatfield, said, “We’re proud to support the YWCA Yorkshire Christmas Appeal this year. We recognise that the festive season is particularly hard for vulnerable families in our community and that by playing our own small part, we can make a big impact. We’d strongly encourage other businesses and individuals to get involved—together, we can make a genuine difference to women, children and families who, against the odds, are rebuilding their lives here in South Yorkshire.”
Businesses and community groups can learn more and pledge their support for the YWCA Yorkshire Christmas Appeal, by contacting Fundraising Manager Sophie Barnett: Sophie.barnett@ywcayorkshire.org.uk