THE annual campaign sees Christmas trees decorated with tags placed in locations across Wokingham borough.
On each tag is a gift request for a young person whose family is experiencing hardship, and who may not otherwise have a present to open on Christmas morning.
People are invited to take a tag, buy the item on it, and then return it under the tree.
Donations are taken to Transform Housing, wrapped by charities and given to children.
This year, more than 1,000 tags were taken from trees.
It means that presents will be received by children who might otherwise have missed out this festive season.
The appeal is organised by Gill Mckernan.
Gill is work experience coordinator at Barnardo’s High Close School, Wokingham.
She starts planning the Giving Tree in September, with November and December very busy months as the appeal gains momentum.
She says: “Words cannot express how grateful all the charities are with the response to this year’s Giving Tree.
“The kind and generous local people have dug deep, even during these difficult financial times, and bought the most amazing gifts so that no young person will go without this Christmas.
“Gifts have ranged from toys, arts and crafts, vouchers, clothing, toiletries, footballs and food hampers, and often extra gifts have been included.
“As the organizer, I have been bowled over by people’s generosity and the thought that has gone into choosing the perfect gifts.
“When you wake up on Christmas Day, you will know that some very happy children can open a present thanks to everyone’s generosity.
“A huge thank you to the hosts of The Giving trees, who have collected in the gifts and delivered them to myself.
“And to Transform Housing, who have kindly stored all the presents.
“The charities have now wrapped them all ready for Christmas Day.
“Unfortunately, it is not possible for the children to thank people personally but please accept our thanks on their behalf.
“A massive thank you to everyone who has been involved in this years appeal.
“You are all super stars.
