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Two very special guests will be welcomed to the city centre this weekend for the launch of Clayton Square and St Johns Shopping Centres and Arriva buses Christmas toy appeal.
The two shopping centres and Arriva will be calling for people to donate gifts for local children. Last year the shopping centres collected more than 1,500 gifts from their generous shoppers including a range of toys and games and even games consoles.
The toy appeal will be officially launched by Craig Philips, TV star and winner of the first ever Big Brother, and Adam and Leanne, from Juice FM breakfast team, Craig will launch the appeal from Clayton Square on Saturday 6th November at 3.30 pm.
He will be joined by Santa Claus who will this year have a specially converted open top bus rather than a sleigh, which has been provided by Arriva buses. Santa will also be bringing four live reindeer with him for the event.
Children attending the launch of the campaign will have the opportunity to come on board the bus to meet Santa and to receive a special goody bag.
Santa will then use the bus to distribute the toys received through the appeal to local children in need throughout December.
Ian Ward, director of St Johns and Clayton Square Shopping Centres, said: “Last year’s toy appeal was a huge success and this year we really want to collect even more presents for children here in Liverpool.
“Every child deserves to have a wonderful Christmas and we wanted to help to provide that for local children.
“We are delighted that Craig Philips has agreed to launch the appeal for us and he will also have the honour of turning on both centres’ Christmas lights.”
Craig Phillips said: “
It’s a great honour to be asked to turn on the Christmas lights and launch the toy appeal in the heart of my home city of Liverpool. I’m looking forward to welcoming Santa to my native scouseland and meeting everyone.
I’d also like to encourage people to support the toy appeal whatever you can bring - it will make a huge difference to someone elses Christmas and all the toys will be going to local kid’s, some less fortunate than others. See you there.
Clayton Square and St Johns are accepting presents for children aged from toddlers to teenagers.
If you would like to donate a gift, please take it unwrapped to Wilkinson, Aldi or Sky Stand in St Johns, or Boots, Regis, Clas Ohlson or Mothercare in Clayton Square or JJB Sports in Williamson Square.
The Arriva grotto bus will then visit three local places to collect and deliver toys and invite local children to meet Santa.
Press Release
Also Craig's PA says that Craig is currently shooting 2 x new series for UKTV Home; Celebrity DIY with Craig Phillips (15 x 30) (which was his original idea and format , this sees him in the homes of Frankie Dettori, Chesney Hawkes, Dean Gaffney, Vic Reeves, Nancy Sorrell, Christine and Neil Hamilton, Russell Grant, Samantha Fox, Linda Robson and Uri Geller plus 6 more to be shot) and a DIY version of The Apprentice called If It’s Broke Fix It (10 x 60 – shooting across the UK, show in Liverpool being shot 8th December) both series to go out in April next year. He’s also fronting a new Seize the DIY campaign for the channel.
