Make this Christmas brighter for a disadvantaged child

Wokingham Borough Council is once again supporting the Giving Tree appeal and encouraging the community to help spread Christmas cheer by helping local children.

Deputy Borough Mayor Cllr Carol Jewell attended the launch event for this year’s appeal, which was held at Wokingham Library on Friday 8 November.

The appeal is being organised by Gill McKernan of Barnardo’s High Close School, who was also in attendance along with representatives of the charities benefiting from the appeal and other Giving Tree hosts and supporters. 

The council is encouraging residents, colleagues and people who work, live or provide services to the borough to pick up a gift tag from the Christmas tree at the council’s offices at Shute End in Wokingham and purchase the specified gift.

The purchased gift will need to be handed into reception, accompanied with the original gift tag. Charity volunteers will then collect the gifts and ensure they are beautifully wrapped in time for opening on Christmas morning.

Cllr Jewell said: “Through this fantastic appeal, we all have the chance to make Christmas brighter for a disadvantaged child. Sadly, there will be some local children that will not receive a single present this year, but you have the power to change that by picking up a gift tag from our offices.

“It is brilliant to be able to support a range of worthy causes through initiatives like the Giving Tree appeal. Your support will ensure local children will have a happy Christmas this year.” 

About the Giving Tree appeal

For more than 25 years, the kind, generous and thoughtful Wokingham Borough residents have supported the Giving Tree appeal, collecting gifts for disadvantaged children in the borough. For many, it will be the only Christmas gift they will receive.

The generosity of local people has meant thousands of gifts have been purchased each year, ranging from toys, toiletries, sports equipment, electronics, clothing and gift cards for children from babies to teenagers.

The annual Giving Tree campaign continues in its original format, with physical Christmas trees placed throughout the borough.

The full list of charities participating in the appeal are: 

• Home Start 
• Dingley’s Promise
• Transform Housing and Support 
• Barnardo’s
• First Days
• Kaleidoscopic UK
• Sebastian’s Action Trust 
• Berkshire Vision
• Berkshire Women’s Aid 
• The Cowshed
• Promise Inclusion