Shaking the Petrus gift tag tree

Petrus, has put more than 70 gift tags on a Christmas tree bearing the names of children who are unlikely to receive any presents this year - The idea is simple. Take a tag, buy a gift for a child

Many children across Rochdale will receive little or nothing on Christmas morning.

To help change that their names have been written on gift tags hanging from a special tree at the town’s Petrus People Community Store.

So far the local homelessness charity has put the names of more than 70 vulnerable children from low income families alongside the baubles on the gift tag tree.

The idea is simple.

Take a tag, buy a gift costing between £5 and £10 and volunteers will wrap it and arrange delivery to that child in time for Christmas.

Petrus hopes to have all the gift tags chosen and the gifts returned to the store in Hamer Lane by Tuesday 13 December.

It’s the idea of Pam Barrett, the Petrus Community Store supervisor. She said: “The local Children’s Social Care team has identified these particular children as being unlikely to receive anything or very little.

"Within just two days of putting the first names on our gift tag tree, 50 had already been taken which just wonderful. Since then we have received more names, put more tags on the tree and we’re still not sure what the final number will be.”

Those who prefer to make a donation can give £10 cash and Petrus volunteers will buy a child’s gift on their behalf.

The Petrus Community, a registered charity providing residential and day support services for people in housing need, is part of the Regenda Group.