For the past 14 years, the Christmas Appeal has invited Christmas donations from the local Essex community.

Working closely with schools, health or social care workers, and with our own therapists we receive nominations for the children who may not be as fortunate as to receive a gift for Christmas.

Every year demand increases and every year, working together with volunteers and donations, we successfully respond to each nomination.

Here is why a Headteacher of a Primary School in Essex nominated children to receive gifts from the Christmas Appeal:

“We nominated children who we felt wouldn’t get much at Christmas due to their family circumstances. That may have been because of a split family, living in temporary accommodation, or a family who were really struggling with the cost of living and who may have been forced to make difficult choices around spending, particularly at Christmas.

When we receive the delivery from Kids Inspire, the children are always incredibly grateful and surprised when I give them their gift. I don’t expect a thank you from the family, but I do get one sometimes. I know it makes a difference to them.

It is a fantastic project that Kids Inspire runs and makes a real difference to the children at my school.” - Headteacher of an Essex Primary School

It can be heartwarming to read the responses we receive from nominees to the appeal. We thought it would be nice to share the difference that the appeal is making to children and families across Essex. Below has come from teachers, head teachers, social workers, health visitors and other charitable organisations working within Essex:

“Thank you very much for providing gifts/hamper to the family I work with they were over the moon and had a lovely christmas because of this.”

“The family I nominated are in financial hardship along with health issues and limited ability to focus on improving their situation in time for christmas. The gifts that were contributed by Kids Inspire were fabulous. The mum had told me that if she could have picked out gifts herself, she would have chosen those exact gifts. She said they were of good quality. She also gratefully received a hamper which contained branded coffee, she had not had such treats for a while. It meant alot to her to know that people care. As a social worker for the family, it was impactful to see how much the contribution helped the children, parents and contributed towards my relationship with the family. Thank you so much, the Christmas Appeal really helped individuals at a time of need.” - Social Woker

“I thought it was very well run - very easy to refer to and lot of time given to get referrals in and pick up of the gifts and hampers was easy to do. The clients who have received gifts were very grateful and wanted us to pass on their thanks.”

“Absolutely amazing work guys, I've come across you before at my previous school (St John's Danbury) where I knew you did fantastic work with younger kids but it wasn't until I moved to a college that I learnt that you supported young adults too. My student and her sister were delighted with the gifts (and the hamper was very gratefully received.” - School Woker

“We at Changing Pathways were so grateful for the wonderful donations that our residents in refuge received. A really big thank you for arranging and for getting the donations over to the refuge. You do amazing work. Thank you.”

“Thank you so much for your generosity, it was extremely kind. Our chosen families were so grateful of the lovely wrapped gifts you gave, providing them with a little piece of Christmas magic.”

“It was absolutely wonderful to see the delight on the faces of the families who received presents and hampers. It made a huge difference to some of our school community who are really struggling at this moment in time. It was reassuring for us as school staff, to know that our more vulnerable families had received support, especially with food items.”

“The Christmas appeal has an amazing impact on our community, we have families who have very limited funds and the difference the hamper and gifts make to them is priceless. We are very grateful to Kids Inspire and all of the volunteers who make the appeal possible.”

“It is a brilliant scheme, bringing an extra treat for some of our children who might otherwise not get much at Christmas. We are incredibly grateful to Kids Inspire and their volunteers for their donations and hard work which make it possible.”

“I really appreciate, and so do the vulnerable families that I work with, the kindness shown by Kids Inspire. Gifting presents at Christmas for those families makes a huge difference. They are thankful and grateful. It shows that people care about them and their children. Charities like Kids Inspire make a huge difference in the well being of children who would otherwise get little or nothing. A heart felt thank you.”

“Our families are always so very grateful for the gifts. As a school we choose different families each year who we know are either in need financially or who have had a difficult time emotionally.”

“Your amazing appeal brings so much happiness to the families we nominate. It is also one of the loveliest parts of my job and is a pleasure to be able to hand the children the gifts. They are always surprised and thankful. Always beautifully wrapped and clearly labelled. Thank you”

“All the families were very grateful. It helped to make Christmas a little easier for our most disadvantaged families.”

“We are delighted to be included in the appeal year after year. It really does make a huge difference to some of our families. We take time to select families who will benefit the most. I am always amazed by the size of the delivery. Thank you very much.”

If you have a story to share from being a part of the Christmas Appeal; a volunteer story, a referer story, or a recipient family, we’d love for you to get in touch and share.