Action for Children has received gifts for over 220 vulnerable children, representing the number of Merkur venues. Willen Hospice patients and nursing teams will enjoy Christmas Day and Boxing Day meals. Further, Merkur will work with FareShare to help feed 2,100 families of four over the festive period, representing a donation for every employee.

Mark Schertle from Merkur said: “We are delighted to support these organisations. We have tried to work with charities that mean a lot to the people that work here, along with knowing that our donations will make an immediate difference.”

Action for Children has helped and protected children across the UK for over 150 years, aiming to provide a safe and happy childhood for every child.

Schertle further said: “By becoming a Secret Santa, we’re hoping to put a bit of magic back into Christmas for children who may otherwise not receive any gifts at all.”

FareShare redistributes surplus food, which would otherwise go to waste, via its 32 warehouses to charities across the UK to help tackle hunger and food poverty.

Meanwhile, in October 2022, Merkur Slots opened a new £200,000 ($224,994) entertainment centre in Lincolnshire as part of a nationwide investment scheme.

Merkur also has plans to invest over £10m in the UK’s high streets this year, and the new Lincolnshire location will bring the company ever closer to that goal.