Catalyst colleagues share Christmas cheer with local families

Colleagues at Catalyst Services UK have helped the company provide Christmas gifts for families, including toys and games for children and two sizable food vouchers.

The company donated the items through Our Community Wardrobe, a project in Oldham, Greater Manchester, established by community volunteer Sally Maher.

Catalyst Business Improvement Manager Yvonne Bardsley, pictured above left, said: “The team at Catalyst is always thinking of ways we can help others in our local area.

“Giving families a helping hand at Christmas is the ideal opportunity. Working with Sally helps us deliver the most appropriate support to families that need it.”

Toys for children and food vouchers

Catalyst used its community fund, set up to support good causes within communities where its colleagues and people who work in its supply chain live, to purchase the gifts.

In total, 32 gifts have been provided for 17 families through Hodge Clough Primary School, in Oldham, which is not far from Catalyst’s offices in Delph.

A further £72 was raised through donations directly from Catalyst colleagues, which “went a long way”, said Yvonne Bardsley, to buying the two food vouchers.

A key contributor to the community support effort was Paris Middleton-Taylor, network administrator at Catalyst, pictures above right.

“Paris is a very selfless person who is always one of the first colleagues at Catalyst to volunteer to support these initiatives,” said Yvonne Bardsley. “Well done, Paris, you’re an inspiration!”

Our Community Wardrobe redistributes unwanted quality clothes donated by their owner. Every year, it also helps collect Easter Eggs and Christmas gifts for families, through local schools.