Toy Appeals Ensure More Children Have A Visit From Santa This Year

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It’s a heartbreaking reality that one in six parents and carers can’t afford a single gift for their child this Christmas. They worry they’ve let their kids down, and many go without essentials just to try and make Christmas happen.

This is why campaigns like Family Action’s Christmas Toy Appeal exist.

Last year, over 15,000 Christmas presents were distributed to children and young people across the country.

Mum Jorja, who was supported by the appeal, said: “My daughter was given a little play kitchen, and my son was given a toy train – the gifts were perfect.”

She added: “I was a bit emotional about the gifts to be honest… I was lost for words.”

Almost half (49%) of parents say they feel like they’ve failed their children if they can’t afford a present, and one in four households are struggling to afford food this Christmas.

Another mum, Janet, said: “When you don’t get much, having that one present to open when you sit around the tree means a lot.”

Alice is a parent, part-time community healthcare assistant, and full-time carer for her husband, who has prostate cancer. She also has four children.

“I’m just trying my best, but we are really, really struggling,” she said. “I won’t be able to afford to buy the children’s Christmas presents.”

Alice is supported by one of Family Action’s FOOD clubs – for £4 a week she’s able to take home a food box of tinned and fresh food, and personal items worth £15.

At Christmas, the family centre where the FOOD club is held also transforms into a festive grotto for the kids. Alice said “we always visit Santa’s Grotto at the centre, because they can see Santa for free, and I know they’ll get a present”.

It takes a huge weight off her shoulders, when she’s already juggling so much.

“I would like to take the children to the cinema or even a night away for Christmas, but I know when I look in my pocket, there won’t be much money,” she continued.

“So, we’ll have a nice dinner at home, play games and sing, if we can’t go out. The children like going to the football club during the holidays. I will just keep doing the best I can.”

Family Action also provides practical, emotional, and financial support to families all year round.

If you’d like to help ensure a child has a gift to unwrap on Christmas Day, you can visit the Toy Appeal donation page here. Got a kindness story to share? Please email uklife@huffpost.com with more information.