Do you know what a reverse advent calendar is? Carry on reading through this article to find out.

Over 50 brand new toys were blessed at St. John's Children-Led Toy Service last Sunday before being taken later in the week to the Salvation Army in Ripon. They will then be distributed amongst local families, many of whom cannot afford presents for their children this year.

Nationwide last year, the Salvation Army distributed more than 76,000 gifts helping to bring a smile to the faces of so many children on December 25th. The organisation “believes that every child deserves a new gift for Christmas” and villagers responded, once again with generosity, to this worthwhile appeal. It is a cause that the church have supported for several years.

The service was well attended and the toys and the number of presents donated, suitable for children up to the ages of 16, was slightly higher than in previous years.

The Church will continue to support the Salvation Army in the weeks leading up to Christmas with a “reverse advent calendar” initiative. As in the past, villagers are being asked to be generous to others in their observance of Advent and instead of treating themselves to all the wonderful different kinds of chocolate or drinks Advent calendars available, to consider putting something into a box each day instead. The box should then be taken to the church on Sunday December 15th where the gifts will be blessed before they are taken to the Salvation's Army food bank in Ripon.

Rev Robb says “ It would be great if, as well as staple eats, there could be some Christmas themed items in there. If you could start this Advent observance early, say on 20th November, you can get in the 25 days of an Advent Calendar. For those unable to do something each day there will be a box in Church where donations can be left and I hope that there will also be one in school”.

If it is not possible to bring your advent box to the church when it is full, please ask and it will be collected.

With the current cost-of-living crisis, thousands of people are expected to ask for help over the festive season and with these small gestures a family's life at Christmas may be made that little brighter. It is an opportunity to give a little back.