News
Gift joy to a child in need this Christmas!
This Christmas, be the reason a child in need smiles with joy!
Many children in Newham are living in poverty and their families have to make heart-breaking choices between putting food on the table or warming up their home. We’re launching our annual Toy Appeal so that despite their circumstances, children can still experience joy, and we need your help to make it happen!
Newham has the highest number of children living in poverty of any London borough. Through our work we know many families face increased hardship, or no recourse to public funds. Others struggle with longstanding challenges, from domestic abuse to long-term illness. But with your help, we can gift them a little joy during this festive season!
We’ll use the money to buy carefully chosen, age-appropriate gifts for children aged 0 to 17 living in poverty. If you prefer, you can choose the toys from our Amazon Wishlist – this will come directly to us. Our volunteers will dress up as Santa and his helpers and personally deliver the gifts to each child.
Stacey, Co-Director for Food & Families, says, “With grant funding opportunities becoming increasingly more difficult to access, more than ever we are relying on the generosity of our community to support local families who are struggling to meet the costs of basic needs. Weekly we hear stories of families who have to survive on torches for lighting as they have no money for electricity to turn the lights on or parents skipping meals so that their children can eat. There is not enough money for even the necessities. This gift of a toy brings so much joy and shows the children that their community provides a culture where you don’t have to struggle alone.”
L’s Story: “My boys were full of joy. Thanks a million!”
Thanks to your generosity last year, 200 children received presents! Three of those children were living with their single mum, L, struggling on low income. The family were moved around hotels 7 times that year and spent a difficult Christmas 2022 in one of the hotels without even access to a kitchen. The room only had a kettle – no fridge, toaster or microwave to prepare or store food.
Last year their Christmas was different. They were finally given a (temporary) home of their own. BDCA’s Families team purchased a Christmas tree and went to their home to decorate it with L as a surprise for when the children arrived home from school. L had wrapped the presents she received from our Appeal. She shared a video with our team of her children jumping with joy and saying, “Christmas is here, Mummy!”
Thank you!
We are so grateful for your support. We also know that times are tough for many so if you are not in a position to give, we completely understand. Please help us by sharing our appeal link instead! This can be through your emails, social media or whatsapp to your friends and family.
Further information
Please note that due to logistics we are unable to accept physical donations of toys this year.
In the event we raise more money than we need, we will allocate it to our wider work supporting children and families.
Our people stories are inspired by real examples from our work, however names and personal details may be changed to protect privacy. The photos used on this page are from our work with families and do not represent the people described in the stories.
