The Christmas Appeal is about giving to children and families in need. Working closely with schools, health or social care workers, and with our therapists we receive gift nominations for children who may not, due to challenging times, be anticipating a gift this year.

2023 was our biggest Christmas Appeal yet. Here are a few stories of why a child or family was nominated by the schools, charities, or professional organisations that we trust and collaborate with.

A Primary School Christmas Miracle

The following story was shared with us from an Essex-based primary school

“Thanks to the unwavering support of the Christmas Appeal the festive season is filled with hope and relief for many struggling families who are facing some of the hardest challenges imaginable.

From financial difficulties to homelessness and poor mental health, families in our school community have been caught in a relentless cycle of hardship, worsened by the ongoing cost of living crisis.

In 2023, many parents shared how they were overwhelmed with worry about providing even the basics for their children, let alone gifts for Christmas. 

But thanks to the generosity of donors, Christmas gifts and food hampers reached the families who needed them most. For children who had lost hope in receiving anything special, the gifts did not just brighten their day but also nurtured their emotional wellbeing at what can be a deeply difficult time. The food hampers, full of essentials, ensured that many families didn’t go hungry during the holiday season.  

Parents expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the school, sharing how the gifts lifted a weight off their shoulders and allowed them to enjoy the festive season, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.  

One parent said, “This was the first time in years that I felt like we had a real Christmas, thanks to the kindness of strangers.”

It’s moments like these that remind us of the power of community and the lasting impact of a simple gift. Through this wonderful appeal, these families experienced the magic of Christmas—something they might have otherwise missed.”

Nomination for Christmas Appeal 2023

The following story was shared with us from a Charity supporting mothers and children fleeing from domestic abuse.

“We nominated the children staying in our refuges for the Christmas Appeal because many arrive with nothing, having had to flee domestic abuse in a hurry.

These children often leave behind their belongings, so the gifts they receive through your appeal make an enormous difference.

It allows them to start building their own collection of toys and enjoy a Christmas as best they can under the circumstances.

The children were overjoyed and excited to receive the gifts and they've had endless fun playing with them, and for the mums, this has been an incredible gift. Many of them are struggling financially, and these toys have allowed them to bond and enjoy quality time with their children while they are in refuge.

 The support Kids Inspire provides makes a tremendous impact on the families staying with us, and it’s thanks to generous people like yourselves that these families can experience a bit of joy during such difficult times.

We cannot thank you enough for all your support.”

Heartfelt Nominations for the Christmas Appeal 

The following story was shared with us by an Inclusion Officer at a local school

“Working closely with families, I often see the poverty they’re living in, and with the ongoing cost of living crisis, many children are anxious about not receiving a gift.

One child told me, "I’ve tried so much harder this year to be good because I must have been bad last year."  

One of the families I nominated had recently moved into the area. Struggling to furnish their new home right before Christmas, they had very little money left for luxuries.

I also nominated families I’ve been supporting with food bank vouchers – they are proud people, and we ensured that all gifts were given discreetly, allowing parents the choice of whether the gifts came from Santa or them.

Some nominations were due to families facing significant challenges, such as illness or a poorly sibling. The gratitude from parents was overwhelming, especially for the inclusion of the food parcels.”

A Christmas Appeal Gift of Comfort During a Difficult Time

The following story was shared by an Essex-based school

“This year, we nominated a young boy whose life has been turned upside down due to his mother’s illness. With his mum unable to care for him as she normally would, he has had to rely on extended family and spend more time in after-school clubs. Despite these challenges, he has shown remarkable resilience.

The Headteacher believed he was truly deserving of some extra Christmas cheer after all he’s been through. When the gifts arrived, the family expressed their heartfelt gratitude, stopping by the school to thank everyone involved.

“They’ve been through so much, but the kindness and support they received from the community and the Kids Inspire’s Christmas Appeal made all the difference.”

Real-life stories keep the Christmas donations coming in year after year, we honestly couldn’t do this without support from the local community. Thank you to each and everyone who chooses to get involved in the Christmas Appeal.