WOKINGHAM is being urged to get behind a campaign that will bring smiles to children on Christmas Day.
The annual Giving Tree appeal is back, and once again is asking for your help.
For more than 20 years, the generous people of Wokingham and the surrounding area have dug deep to make sure less fortunate youngsters stay on Santa’s list, and we’re hoping that you will once again come up trumps.
The idea is simple, but it sparkles with the true spirit of the season.
Simply visit one of The Giving Trees across the borough, choose a tag, buy the gift voucher of toy requested on it, and return it, unwrapped, to the tree.
The children nominated for the tags are all connected with a number of local charities, including Barnardo’s, Sebastian’s Action Trust, Berkshire Women’s Aid, and Berkshire Young Carers.
The charities and their volunteers will organise the wrapping and delivering of the gifts, and each will be delivered in time for December 25. All go to children whose stockings might otherwise have been empty on Christmas morning.
The appeal is organised by Gill Mckernan, who works for Barnardo’s High Close School in Wokingham.
Last Friday, The Giving Tree appeal was launched at the Tesco Wokingham superstore on Finchampstead Road.
Wokingham borough mayor Cllr Keith Baker, deputy mayor Cllr Abdul Loyes, and Wokingham town mayor Cllr Tony Lack joined Mrs Mckernan, Tesco manager Lukasz Zawada, and its community champion, Louise Jedras.
Mr Zawada said: “We’re honoured to host The Giving Tree again this year. It’s a symbol of Wokingham’s endless generosity and thoughtfulness at a time of year when no child should go without.
“The Giving Tree will guarantee many children’s happiness this Christmas.”
And Mrs Jedras was also delighted to be involved with The Giving Tree.
“There won’t be a single child who’s asked for a gift through The Giving Tree who doesn’t receive a special gift this Christmas, and that’s down to the kind-heartedness of those who support this wonderful cause each year.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who buys a gift card for the children of Wokingham, and I know that this year’s Giving Tree will be as successful as it has been in previous years.
“People don’t need to spend a lot for a gift card. Any amount spent will help to make a child’s Christmas.”
The Giving Tree appeal is firmly backed by the mayors.
Cllr Baker explained: “It’s wonderful to be here again for the launch of The Giving Tree.
“The charity we have chosen is Sebastian’s Action Trust, based in Crowthorne. It is dedicated to helping seriously ill children by providing holidays and respite for them.
“It’s essential that our residents do come and contribute. It’s not money – take a card, order a gift for these children, because for many of them, a gift like that is far, far more important that just money.”
And Cllr Loyes wants to see every tag taken from the trees and returned with the appropriate present.
“I’m so delighted to be part of this very noble cause. I hope residents will come and support it,” he said.
Cllr Lack said that The Giving Tree was a wonderful organisation that had given so much to so many children over the years, and he was proud to be able to back this year’s appeal.
“It’s lovely to see that all the children get help.
Please, when you come into Tesco or the other Giving Tree sites, please give generously. The little bit that you contribute will help so much for so many. Thank you.”
This year, The Giving Tree is back to normal after covid forced last year’s appeal to be limited to gift vouchers. However, they still ensured no child missed out.
Mrs Mckernan said: “Last year was fantastic, even though we were in the middle of the covid pandemic. Hundreds of tags were taken from the trees.
“My hope is that Wokingham folk will be just as generous this time around, making the appeal even more successful this year despite the continuing challenging times.”
She added: “Many more families will be struggling this year with the increase in the cost of living, and the hardships that covid has brought. It is my hope that no child who has asked for a gift through the Giving Tree will go without this Christmas.”
Supporting the Giving Tree does not mean spending a fortune.
Any gift will put a smile on the face of a child at Christmas.
All shoppers need to do is choose a tag, buy the gift voucher or toy and return it to the place from where they collected the tag.
Mrs Mckernan added: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Pricewaterhouse Coopers, which printed the tags and posters again this year. They are one of the generous businesses supporting The Giving Tree this year.
“These include Dell UK Bracknell, Lumen Basingstoke, PEAC Bracknell, Wokingham Borough Council, and Simply Commerce Wokingham.”
