GENEROUS residents are buying presents to help make a child’s Christmas special, through an appeal that for more than 20 years has been helping to put smiles on youngsters’ faces..
The Giving Tree provides presents for children in the borough whose families are struggling, and who would otherwise miss out on Christmas morning.
It’s simple to participate:
Special Giving Trees are located in local stores, and are adorned with tags bearing children’s gift requests.
People take a tag, buy the present requested on it, and return the unwrapped present to the same store.
Children’s charities then receive, wrap and distribute the presents.
Where are the Giving Trees?
Tesco Wokingham (gift voucher tags only)
Tesco Warfield
Tesco Martins Heron
Newbury Building Society, Wokingham
Nirvana Spa, Sindlesham
Wokingham Library
The Sultan restaurant, Wokingham
Sedero Lounge, Wokingham
Gill McKernan, appeal organiser, says: “I have been absolutely bowled over by the response to this year’s Giving Tree.
“The tags are just flying off the trees and I have been so busy topping them up.
“The gifts are starting to be returned and people have been so very generous despite the difficult times.
“There are certainly going to be some happy children on Christmas Day thanks to the very kind local people.”
Children’s charities distributing the gifts are:
Barnardo’s
Sebastian’s Action Trust
Look Ahead Care
Berkshire Women’s Aid
Kaleidoscopic UK
Transform Housing
Home Start
Wokingham Young Carers
Dingley’s Promise
The Cow Shed
First Days,
Berkshire Vision
Children With Special Needs Foundation.
Louise Jedras, Tesco Wokingham’s community champion, says: “’ It is lovely to see the gift cards returning to us, with kind wishes to the children.
“Our customers are making such a difference this Christmas.
“And so often, it is children I see choosing a tag from the tree, to pass to their parents to share the love around.
“Kindness is infectious, please support the Giving Tree if you possibly can.”
To contribute to the gift giving appeal, residents should take a take a tag from one of the Giving Trees, buy the gift requested on it, and return it, unwrapped, to the same tree.
