Arighi Bianchi launches Christmas Giving Truck appeal for local children
The Macclesfield furniture retailer is working with Little Cherubs to collect presents for children facing difficult circumstances, with donations particularly needed for teenagers
By Cheshire Today
Macclesfield furniture retailer Arighi Bianchi has launched a Christmas gift appeal to help children whose families are struggling financially, teaming up with local charity Little Cherubs to collect presents across Cheshire and the High Peak.
The family-run business is using its vehicles and store on Silk Road to support the Christmas Giving Truck initiative, inviting residents, businesses, schools and community groups to donate new toys, clothing and other gifts.
The appeal will support children aged from birth to 16, with donations collected at Arighi Bianchi’s Macclesfield store before being distributed to families through Little Cherubs.
The charity typically supports more than 250 children at Christmas, working with schools, social services, midwives, women’s refuges and other organisations to reach families facing financial hardship or difficult personal circumstances.
Why the appeal is needed
For families struggling with everyday expenses, buying Christmas presents can create additional financial pressure.
Little Cherubs founder Sally Depee said the charity wanted to make sure children in those circumstances were not forgotten during the festive period.
“For families struggling to cover everyday essentials, buying Christmas presents can be significant source of worry,” she said.
“A donated gift can help ease that pressure and give a child something to look forward to on Christmas morning.”
The charity is particularly encouraging donations for older children and teenagers, who can sometimes be overlooked in Christmas appeals.
Suitable gifts include board games, LEGO, sports equipment, science kits, headphones, backpacks, stationery and toiletry sets.
Practical items such as new pyjamas, slippers, warm hats, gloves and blankets are also welcomed.
For babies and younger children, suggested donations include sensory toys, dolls, building blocks, books, puzzles and craft sets.
All items should be new, unused and unwrapped, ideally in their original packaging, so the charity can match presents to children’s ages and needs.
Taking the appeal beyond Macclesfield
The Christmas Giving Truck will be based at Arighi Bianchi’s Silk Road store during the main collection period, but the retailer also plans to take it to other locations around the region.
The tour schedule has not yet been announced and will be published on the company’s website.
Businesses, schools and community organisations can also arrange their own collections, with Arighi Bianchi offering to collect group donations locally by prior arrangement.
Sarah Bianchi, managing director of Arighi Bianchi, said the company wanted to use its existing resources and connections to help Little Cherubs reach more families.
“We have the vehicles, the team and a community of customers and local businesses we can ask to help,” she said.
“We want to put those connections to good use by collecting as many gifts as possible for Little Cherubs this Christmas.”
She added that individual donations and larger workplace collections would both contribute towards the appeal.
The retailer is also accepting cash donations and vouchers through its dedicated in-store fundraising team, which will use them to purchase gifts.
How Cheshire residents can help
The main collection runs until Monday 30 November 2026, although the retailer says donations received after that date will still be passed on.
Gifts can be taken to the dedicated drop-off point inside Arighi Bianchi, Silk Road, Macclesfield, SK10 1LH.
Residents are asked to bring new, unused and unwrapped items suitable for children aged 0–16.
Businesses, schools and community groups wishing to organise a collection can email marketing@arighibianchi.co.uk to discuss arrangements for the Giving Truck to collect donations.
Updates on the truck’s visits to other locations will be available through www.arighibianchi.co.uk.
Little Cherubs will distribute the gifts through its existing network of local support organisations, with the aim of reaching children in time for Christmas Day.