Northallerton business raises thousands for Thirsk Present Appeal

A Northallerton business is spreading joy and hope this festive season after collecting more than £2,000 and hundreds of toys for The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal – ensuring children across the region have something to open on Christmas morning. 

Home fragrance specialist Sheena’s Scent’s Shack, based in Regency Mews, put a call out to their many thousand followers on social media and were inundated with gifts and cash which has helped ensure The Salvation Army in Thirsk can meet all referrals for its present appeal this year. 

Every year, The Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal asks people to donate new unwrapped gifts for families who are making impossible choices between food, heating and bills. 

John Butterworth, who runs Sheena’s with his partner Sheena, was motivated to help give back to the community after a tricky few years in which his mental health spiralled. As he started to recover, he threw himself into the business, which manufactures and sells home fragrance, health and beauty, and cleaning products.

John, 40, said: “The business took off. We built a massive online following, especially on Facebook and TikTok, and we wanted to do something good and productive to help others. 

“People who are near and dear to me have benefited from the Christmas Present Appeal in the past, so we started to ask for donations and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response. 

“People have been donating from all over the UK, not just Northallerton. They were sending gifts to the shop and the shop was absolutely rammed, there were boxes everywhere! One lady donated 500 toys and £500 cash. We put a bundle for sale online and generated £500, and we got 200 toys from setting up an Amazon wishlist.” 

They have collected so much that they’ve managed to help Thirsk Salvation Army, which is led by Majors Paula and Ian Haylett, meet all of the almost 200 requests they expect to receive this year. 

John continued: “When Paula came in and said ‘we’ve hit the quota, we’re full!’ I started choking up. It makes you think of those kids on Christmas Day having something to open, I know the difference it can make.

“It’s all about giving something back. We’re just a vessel for people to carry out something amazing. All of the credit goes to our followers who have supported with their donations. It’s incredible what people have done.” 

Raising around £2,000 and collecting more than 300 presents, now The Salvation Army appeal has closed, Sheena’s Scent’s Shack will be donating the rest of the money they have raised to support people experiencing homelessness and the elderly. 

Major Paula said: “We are beyond grateful for all that John and Sheena have done to galvanise the community into donating. The response they’ve had has been amazing and it will make such a difference. 

“To know that we can meet all of the need this year means so much. The appeal helps the most vulnerable families, ensuring children have something to open on Christmas morning and that parents can feel some relief knowing that they don’t have to worry about where they are going to find the money from. Thank you to each and every one of you who donated.” 

Thirsk Salvation Army is part of a Fresh Expression where Paula and Ian work within the community and from their home responding to community need rather than from a traditional Salvation Army building. For more information search for them on Facebook.