Wakefield man gets into spirit of Christmas by giving up alcohol for three months to buy kids festive gifts

Marc Gibson, 53, who is a commercial analyst, took part in Dry January, which extended into being dry February and dry March.

Instead of buying a bottle of wine during his weekly shop, Marc instead used the money to buy presents for children which he then stashed away until Monday where he handed over the gifts to the drop-off point for Pulse 1's Mission Christmas appeal at Wakefield’s Sandal BMW dealership.

Marc, from Thornes, said: “Every year we give little bits but this year I decided to take part in Dry January which extended into February and March.

"Every week I would pick something up that would fit in my trolley over buying a bottle of wine or what have you.

"Over the course of the year I accumulated around 23 gifts which I took to the drop-off point at the car dealership.”

The generous dad-of-three, who was supported by his wife Tracy, has helped the charity since he moved back to the area in 2017.

He added: “You hear the adverts asking for donations but it not nice knowing that children won’t have a present to open on Christmas Day.

"I’ve done my bit and want to stress that many people will be donating more than me this Christmas.

"You don’t have to give an expensive gift, if you see something that is a bargain when you are out and it is in your budget, add it to trolley.

"At the beginning of the year we didn’t know that we would be facing an energy crisis, so it is a little bit more poignant now than before.”

Marc has set himself a challenge for 2023 where he aims to buy one present every week whilst doing his weekly shop.

Sandal BMW will be accepting new and unwrapped Christmas gifts on behalf of Pulse 1's Mission Christmas appeal until Thursday, December 15.

The dealership is open from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday.