Motojimm and Marathon Mel come together for Thetford Hamper Appeal

A Thetford motovlogger and social media influencer with more than 650,000 followers and a world marathon list runner have joined forces to help bring more Christmas cheer to the town.

Jimmy Boyce, otherwise known as motojimm online, and Melanie Furness who has finished more than 300 marathons and has also raised funds totalling more £70,000 for charities in the past, have come together to create hampers to hand out to nominated people in need.

This is the fourth year that the Thetford Hamper Appeal has taken place and after being introduced to each other through the Bury Free Press, Mel said she was excited that Jimmy wanted to get involved.

She added: “This team up is great as Jimmy is very passionate about using his following to help others and this can only mean that even more people in the town can be helped over Christmas time.

“We both feel that Christmas for us is about giving back, and this is what we both want to do with the hampers – it is demanding to put together, but it is one of my Christmas highlights because of the joy it brings.”

Mel will also, on behalf of the Thetford Foundation which she set up to run the appeal and Jimmy, talk to other organisations in the town, including Thetford and District Dementia Support Group, Salvation Army and Pine Close Community Centre for nominations.

Mel is looking for physical items such as tinned goods, Christmas cakes, tea and coffee, chocolates and mince pies as well as toys for children.

The drop-off point for hamper appeal items is at the Charles Burrell Centre in Staniforth Road in the town and those wishing to nominate people and families for hampers, can do so by going onto the Thetford Foundation Facebook page.

Meanwhile Jimmy has posted a video on his social media channels and set up a gofundme page asking his followers to donate money so he can buy goods and toys to add to the hampers.

Jimmy’s followers have already rallied for the influencer this year, by coming in their hundreds to the town in July for a ride out for Austin Dale, a 13 year-old who suffered a stroke whilst in goal for his football team.

So Jimmy hopes they can give their support for a second time.

He said: “I have always been someone who wants to help other people, so for me knowing that there are people and families out there that are going to struggle this Christmas makes me want to do something.

“My followers showed how amazing they are with the ride out for Austin, so I hope they can get behind me and Mel with this as this is something we are very passionate about.

“I am going to be as transparent as possible along the way, making videos to show how much is raised, what the money is spent on by showing me picking up toys and goods and then delivering them to Mel – this is a mission for Christmas happiness for me.”

The previous years have seen around 100 hampers delivered out to residents in the town and this year Mel said it could surpass that target.

She added: “This appeal just gets bigger and bigger and with this collaboration this time round it could be epic.”

To donate to the Thetford Hamper Appeal, either drop off items at the Charles Burrell Centre, contact the Thetford Foundation Facebook page or, for monetary donations, go to www.motojimm.co.uk