Staff at Stephensons Solicitors LLP on Library Street in Wigan and Lord Street in Leigh handed over two sacks of Christmas presents to Victim Support in response to their Christmas toy appeal.
Victim Support is a national charity giving free and confidential help to victims of crime, witnesses, their family and friends. The Wigan and Leigh branch, which is based at the Life Centre in Wigan town centre, helps Wigan and Leigh residents cope with the effects of crime.
The Family law team at Stephensons has been collecting and wrapping Christmas gifts for children who may need to use the support service over the Christmas period because of domestic abuse or other threatening situations.
Amanda Rimmer, partner and head of the Wigan Family team at Stephensons, said: “Christmas is, for many people, the most wonderful time of year. However for some families, tensions will run high and some will seek the assistance of Victim Support and our local refuges over the festive holiday.
“The gifts we have donated to Victim Support will go to children who find themselves in our local refuges over Christmas - potentially with no Christmas presents because their family has had to leave home quickly. We are very happy to support them in some small way.”
Paul Cartwright, service delivery manager at Victim Support in Wigan, said: “Sadly many children will spend Christmas with a parent, in refuge accommodation this year because their lives have been so severely affected by domestic abuse at home. It’s been
our aim for the last 20 years to ensure they all get a visit from Father Christmas! We are grateful to Stephensons and other local partners who donate gifts at this time of year.”
Victim Support has a national support line which people can call for confidential support and advice on 0845 30 30 900. It is open 9am – 9pm weekdays, 9am – 7pm weekends, 9am – 5pm Bank Holidays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, 10.30am – 2.30pm Boxing Day. It is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The support line remains open until 11.30pm on the days of the live transmission of the BBC Crimewatch programme. People can also email supportline@victimsupport.org.uk.
Stephensons Family team has recently released a Christmas Guide for separated parents, which is available here: Christmas Guide