Business boosts Christmas gifts appeal

Published Thursday, 7th December 2017

AN ANNUAL gifts appeal that aims to guarantee a happy Christmas for children in Hartlepool has received a big boost from a local business.

Jeweller Mark Lloyd whose shop is in York Road, has pledged to donate all of the profit from sales of his popular Monkey range prior to Christmas to the appeal run by the town’s community radio station, 102.4FM Radio Hartlepool.

The offer has been praised by Hartlepool Mayor Councillor Paul Beck who is also backing the Gifts for Christmas appeal.

“This is a superb gesture by Mark and one that I would like to congratulate him on. It will provide a big boost to the appeal and I hope it will prompt other businesses to consider how they might be able to help too,” said Councillor Beck.

102.4FM Radio Hartlepool Managing Director Jason Anderson said: “It is great to see a successful local business rallying round in support of hard-pressed local families who might otherwise face a bleak Christmas.”

Mark, a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths, used to run Mobeus in Park Road and his current business is in the former premises of jewellers Lambs where he started his apprenticeship 30 years ago.

He said: “The idea of supporting the gifts appeal came about by chance during discussions about a radio advertising campaign. I am delighted to be backing the appeal and I would urge as many people as possible to give it their support.”

Photo taken outside Mark Lloyd's shop

(Left-right): Jason Anderson, Hartlepool Mayor Councillor Paul Beck, Mark Lloyd, Michelle Lloyd and Hartlepool Mayoress Mrs Mary Beck

The monkey range, which is based on Hartlepool’s monkey legend, includes cufflinks, hip flasks, tie pins and hip flasks

The Gifts for Christmas appeal, which is now in its 10th year, has raised £180,000 in that time. 102.4FM Radio Hartlepool collects new, unwrapped gifts suitable for boys and girls aged up to16 and cash donations. These are passed on to Hartlepool Borough Council staff working with local children and families.

All cash donations should be taken to Radio Hartlepool in York Road while gifts can be dropped off at either the station, the reception area of Hartlepool Civic Centre or Mark Lloyd jewellers. The town’s Morrisons supermarket also has a collection point for gifts.