Prisoners to put smiles on families in need faces

Big hearted prisoners and prison staff have collected a phenomenal amount of goodies for an NHS appeal to help children and families in need.

Bev Turgoose, a Prison Offending Manager, at Lindholme Prison in Doncaster, heard about the Reverse Advent Calendar Appeal being run by our trust from her son Lewis who works there.

She gained permission at work to run an appeal and was overwhelmed with the response. Many of the prisoners who have jobs in jail earn £15 per week and they used some of their earnings to buy food from the prison shop for the appeal. While staff in the Offender Management Unit, Activities Hub and Business Hub also joined in.

The donations are now being used to send to families in need in Doncaster, North Lincolnshire and Rotherham, who otherwise would have little or no food and no presents this Christmas.

Bev, who organised the campaign in her free time, said:

“I was working with a prisoner and his family needed support. I knew what RDaSH staff were doing to help families and people in need so thought I’d get involved.

“When the appeal was launched, the prisoners were keen and eager to help to show that they wanted to give back to society as many of the men in our care have used services RDaSH provide,” said Bev.

“It was an honour to be part of it all and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get the response I did. I am eternally grateful to all that helped make it a success.

“When all of the donations came in I was lost for words. There were masses and masses of food and toys. I want to thank everyone, prisoners, and prison staff, who have donated. We will be putting smiles on many families’ faces now.”

Leana Gater, who works in our children’s services, said:

“I was blown away when I saw all of the items being donated. These are now being boxed and will go to many families in need across the areas we serve. Thank you to everyone involved.”

Published: December 18, 2025