In Croydon, 34,335 children (35.5%) are living in poverty. For many families, rising costs mean household budgets are stretched beyond breaking point, leaving little or nothing for Christmas gifts or festive food. Alongside poverty, we support children affected by domestic abuse, homelessness, family crisis, care experience, displacement, and children spending Christmas in hospital. No child should feel forgotten at Christmas because of the circumstances they face.

Working with schools, hospitals, social care teams, community organisations and voluntary sector partners, we identify children and families most in need. Supported by over 50 volunteer Christmas Elves, we coordinate the collection, purchasing and distribution of gifts, vouchers and food support. Last Christmas, we provided gifts and vouchers to more than 3,000 vulnerable children and young people, alongside food support for hundreds of families across Croydon.