Our Secret Santa appeals have enabled us to support children and young people accessing our services
Secret Santa appeal supports children and young people with presents at Christmas
People in the community helped spread festive joy throughout the holiday season, donating gifts including colouring books, puzzles and toys as well as a variety of vouchers and gift cards.
In 2023, we launched our first Secret Santa appeal where a total of 231 gifts were donated to children accessing CAMHS, health visiting teams and Children in Care teams.
In 2024 were were able to reach even more children. Amongst the 500 gifts sent out to services were 289 Amazon wishlist items including toys, puzzles and books as well as baby items, gift cards and comfort items. We also distributed 230 festive selection boxes. Gifts were purchased by members of the public as well as bought by our Mersey Cares team thanks to monetary donations, which reached almost £1,000.
The Children in Care teams shared with us some feedback from the children who received gifts.
"I plan to hide this chocolate in my bedroom so I don't have to share it!"
"This is so kind. I have never been to Nando's, but now with this voucher I can take my little brother at my next contact when I see him."
"This worry monster will help me when I miss my Mum."
If you'd like to support Children in Care across Merseyside and Cheshire we have a year-round appeal to fundraise to support children who are arriving at our services with basic toiletries and items such as pyjamas and slippers. Many arrive with nothing at all and these items can bring comfort during a time that can be incredibly unsettling and difficult. The fund also enables us to buy gifts for milestone birthdays and support young adults leaving care with basic items.
You can also support our Secret Santa initiative year-round. As the year comes to a close, we use the funds raised to purchase gifts, which are then distributed to the teams supporting children and young people throughout the region.
