THOUGHTFUL financial planners have stepped into Christmas with a kind-hearted campaign.
The team at award-winning Celtic Financial Planning – based in Mold, St Asaph, and London – will be generously supporting three families by donating hundreds of pounds worth of vouchers to pay for a selection of products and gifts this holiday season.
In partnership with NEWCIS (North East Wales Carers Information Service) – the largest provider of carer services in Wales – director Rob Lewis and the team hope businesses in the region will join their appeal.
“For many people Christmas is a very difficult time of year when, despite the cost-of-living crisis and other challenges, there is pressure to go out and spend money on food, decorations, gifts and more,” said Rob.
“As a NEWCIS trustee I know what amazing work they do with thousands of carers who put others before themselves every single day, and as a company at the heart of the community we wanted to try and alleviate some of that pressure by paying for Christmas for three families experiencing hardship.
“We hope other organisations will come forward and do the same.”
He added: “While this appeal is for help with festive donations, there are people in need of support all year-round, so it could be a helping hand towards a holiday, school uniform, or a whole host of other day-to-day costs.
“For example, one of the families we will be supporting is an elderly couple facing a winter with no fuel allowance, and sadly the gentleman has dementia and been diagnosed recently with a terminal illness.
“Being able to provide financial support so they can pay for presents for relatives and Christmas dinner will make the world of difference to them and hopefully bring some joy into their lives at a very, very difficult time.”
NEWCIS moved to a 6,000 square foot premises in Mold High Street – formerly Barclay’s Bank – during the summer and renovated the building to include a shop, offices, meeting rooms, disabled access and a pop-up space for community and health groups to utilise.
Now employing more than 50 staff and representing up to 24,000 carers in Wales, CEO Claire Sullivan says the charity identified three carers and families who would “greatly benefit” from the generosity of Celtic Financial Planning and thanked Rob and staff for their “unwavering support”.
“They are all so grateful, this will be of huge benefit to them, it will be life-changing,” said Claire.
“For one family the vouchers will be used to buy decorations for a child’s room, providing a sanctuary and safe environment, for another they will enable a young lady who put university on hold to care for her mum, to buy clothes, food and gifts she would have been unable to afford otherwise.
“Even a small amount will have a major impact so we are so thankful to Rob and Celtic Financial Planning for their kindness and would love to see more businesses get in touch to see how they can help.
“To be thought of by someone who does not know you is a huge gesture and as one of the recipients told us, this benevolence has reaffirmed their faith in humanity and made dreams come true – it is incredibly overwhelming and touched all our hearts.”
