Christmas donations gift demand up, charities say
Charities collecting Christmas presents for struggling families say demand has gone up.
Key points
- Charities in Somerset say demand for Christmas presents for struggling families is higher than normal this year while donations are falling.
- The Chard Christmas Present Appeal relies entirely on donations and receives no funding, its founder Martyna Lee said.
- Taunton's Christmas Sparkle gave out about 10,000 individual gifts last year and expects even more requests this year.
Charities that give Christmas presents to struggling families say more children need help this year, but they are receiving fewer donations. The Chard Christmas Present Appeal said demand was higher than normal and blamed more people struggling financially.
Martyna Lee, founder of the Chard appeal, said many families were worried about affording presents because of the cost of living crisis. She said they have "tears in their eyes" when the charity can help.
How the Chard appeal works
Lee started the appeal by herself in 2019 from her living room as part of the Lord's Larder food bank in Chard. The appeal depends completely on donations and receives no funding.
Lee recalled one family whose children, asked by a social worker what they wanted for Christmas, requested pencils and a colouring book. She said she made sure they received a large gift package including board games. She also remembered a family whose home had a fire shortly before Christmas and who lost nearly everything; the charity got them gifts, a Christmas tree and decorations.
We are getting more referrals and less donations because of cost of living, so we do struggle.
— Martyna Lee
Rising demand in Taunton
Taunton's Christmas Sparkle said demand has risen sharply over the last couple of years. The charity gave out 500 presents in 2015 and about 10,000 individual gifts last year, and it expects even higher demand this year.
Founder and manager Gill Harrison said she believes the cost of living crisis is driving the increase. She said the charity works with schools, social services, police, women's refuges and community nursing teams, and that these groups have increased their referrals in recent years.
