A handful of caring groups have received a cash boost from one thoughtful team, allowing so many Christmas wishes to come true.

Already having strong links to the West Cumbrian community, The Decommissioning Alliance (TDA) is proud to help various teams throughout the area whenever it can.

And after a tough year for all, the team decided to pool its resources and support community groups the best way possible – with a £2,500 donation.

Many support groups have received the generous gift, including Mirehouse Community Centre, Egremont Toy Appeal, Cleator Moor Support Group, and Seaton Support Group.

All have shared appeals for donations of toys, cash and gifts for the vulnerable, elderly and young in their communities, hoping to make this Christmas one to remember for a lovely reason, rather than due to Covid.

And Whitehaven Town Councillor Carl Walmsley, who represents Mirehouse East ward, couldn’t be more thankful for the money.

He said: “I was gobsmacked and overwhelmed when I got the email to say we had been recommended [for the donation], so to get the email from TDA, you can imagine my delight!

“We do a Christmas appeal every year, and rely heavily on donations of toys, and truth be told both me and [my wife] Louise were concerned we were not going to be able to cope with the demand this year.

“TDA’s generous donation has well and truly changed that, and we are confident that every single child on the ward will wake up to something this year.”

He added: “I can’t thank TDA enough – I don’t think they realise just how many families they have made Christmas extra special for this year!”

Daniel Shutt, of the Egremont Toy Appeal, is also thrilled with the donation, which has helped the town's appeal break £10,000 – a massive achievement for all.

"We can't believe it – we set up this little appeal hoping to help a few people, and we've had so much support for it," he said.

"So many people will be helped with all the money that's been raised, so it's absolutely amazing."

He added: "A big thank you to TDA from us organisers, but also a massive thank you from the people of Egremont, because they're the people that are going to be helped by this generous donation."

Alison Young, TDA resource and admin manager, said all the community groups deserve the donations and more, after doing such “amazing work” for their communities during the pandemic.

She said: “These groups deserve so much praise and thanks.

“They’ve been absolutely amazing throughout this year, and we just wanted to help how we could.”

She added: “This isn’t about us handing over the money, it’s about these fantastic groups getting the recognition they deserve.

“From everybody in TDA, we would like to wish everybody the best, and hope they have an enjoyable festive period.”