Generous borough residents can once again become Santa’s ‘little helpers’ thanks to the Wokingham Giving Tree.
The scheme enables people to buy gifts for youngsters in the borough whose families are experiencing difficulties, and over the years it has provided presents for thousands of children who would otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas Day.
Taking part is simple. Special Giving Trees in the borough have been dressed with gift tags bearing children’s Christmas present wishes. Shoppers can choose one, buy the requested toy or voucher, and return it to the same tree with the gift tag.
The gifts are distributed to local charities, to be wrapped and delivered for children to open on Christmas morning.
This year’s appeal, co-ordinated annually by Gill McKernan, was launched on Tuesday.
Tesco community champion Louise Jedras and Ms McKernan welcomed Wokingham Borough Council mayor, Cllr Beth Rowland; Wokingham Town Council deputy mayor, Cllr Rob Comber; and participating charities to the event at Tesco Wokingham.
Ms McKernan oversees the mammoth operation as well as working at Barnardo’s High Close School, in Wokingham.
“Last year’s Giving Tree campaign was wonderful,” she said.
“People made Christmas special for so many children, and I hope that they will be just as generous this year.
“Many more families are struggling now, so I would love the appeal to be even more successful .
“My hope is that no child who asks for a Giving Tree gift will go without.
“There are many different items to choose from, and people don’t need to spend a fortune.
“Any gift can put a smile on a child’s face at Christmas.”
Ms Jedras said: ““It is always such an honour to hold the launch of the Giving Tree at Tesco Wokingham.
“It’s so lovely to see gift tags fly off the Giving Tree each year, knowing that each one is a child’s wish about to be answered.”
Cllr Comber added: “The length of time that the Giving Tree has been active in Wokingham is a testament to both its effectiveness and the generosity of the people of Wokingham.
“Not only those who take the tags and buy gifts to be distributed, but the volunteers who organise this, and then distribute the gifts so kindly donated.”
Some 11 charities will receive presents for children they support. These are Transform Housing, Home Start, Dingley’s Promise, Kaleidoscopic, Berkshire Women’s Aid, Berkshire Vision, Barnardo’s, The Cow Shed, First Days, Promise Inclusion and Sebastian’s Action Trust.
Giving Trees can be found at: Tesco Wokingham (gift voucher tags only), Tesco Warfield, Tesco Martins Heron, Wokingham Library, Newbury Building Society in Wokingham, Wokingham Borough Council, and Nirvana Spa in Winnersh.
Members of the public can visit any of these outlets to pick up a tag and buy a gift, always taking care to return items to the same tree.
Simply Commerce in Wokingham, PricewaterhouseCoopers in Reading, accountancy and business advisory firm BDO Reading, Guardian Financial Services Reading, Dell in Bracknell, Artizian Catering Services of Hurst, and clothing and apparel company Ariat, are all championing the campaign this year.
Ms Mckernan thanked all the businesses, outlets and charities offering their support to the Giving Tree 2023, and hoped that no child in the borough will go without this Christmas.
