Christmas joy in Newport with the Salvation Army

Thanks for the warm welcome”, says Major Stephen Westwood

Shoppers at Newport’s Kingsway shopping centre had a Christmas surprise on Tuesday afternoon when The Salvation Army’s brass band arrived and entertained them with festive favourites.

The band played a mixture of Christmas carols including ‘Noel’, ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, and pieces including ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ and ‘Jingle Bells’.

The performance was organised as a ‘thank you’ to the people of Newport for supporting The Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal.

Major Stephen Westwood of The Salvation Army in Newport said: “Christmas and the lead-up to Christmas is always a very busy time for the Salvation Army, but we always make time to go out and spread some festive joy.

“The response we had was brilliant and I’d like to thank everyone at the Kingsway shopping centre for the warm welcome we received as well as all the generous donations.”

Later that day, at The Salvation Army’s Newport Citadel hall, volunteers packed up 400 toys into Christmas toy parcels for 65 local families.

Members of the public, local businesses and a school had donated the toys in response to a Salvation Army appeal.

Newport social services will be distributing the parcels to families who may be struggling to make ends meet at Christmas.

“The support we have received for this year’s Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal has been incredible,” said Major Stephen Westwood.

“The gifts we received will be given to children and young people who may not otherwise receive a Christmas present and everyone who has donated a gift has helped us to make a difference and put a smile on someone’s face this Christmas in Newport”.

The Salvation Army Citadel Hall in Newport is located at 1 Hill Street.

For more information about The Salvation Army in Newport, please contact 01633 267 870 or visit here