The annual ‘Christmas Gifting’ campaign in Leeds, organized by Child Friendly Leeds (CFL), brightens the holiday season for children facing financial hardship by providing personalized gifts and experiences. Last year, this heartfelt initiative reached over 2,100 children with gifts valued at £18,600, demonstrating the city’s commitment to spreading joy and hope during Christmas.
What is the purpose of the annual ‘Christmas Gifting’ campaign in Leeds?
The annual ‘Christmas Gifting’ campaign in Leeds, led by Child Friendly Leeds (CFL), aims to provide personalized gifts and experiences to children facing a bleak holiday season due to financial hardship. Last year, over 2,100 children benefited from gifts valued at £18,600, and the initiative continues to grow with local business support, ensuring joy for families in need this Christmas.
The Spirit of Giving in Leeds
Amid the twinkling lights and festive cheer, many families in Leeds face the daunting prospect of a Christmas overshadowed by financial strain. The Child Friendly Leeds (CFL) team, an integral part of Leeds City Council, is addressing this issue head-on with its annual ‘Christmas Gifting’ campaign. Aimed at providing personalized gifts and experiences, the initiative supports children who might otherwise have a bleak holiday. In 2021, thanks to this effort, over 2,100 children received gifts valued at a striking £18,600.
The success of last year’s campaign has set a hopeful precedent for the current holiday season, with CFL staff eager to expand their reach. Businesses across the city are stepping up to ensure the initiative touches even more lives. An early example is the over 100 gifts already gifted through a Christmas fair at Gipton’s Old Fire Station community hub. This generosity comes courtesy of the employees at First Direct, long-time supporters of the cause.
Fran Etherington, the development manager at the Old Fire Station hub, remarked, “The Christmas Gifting initiative has enabled us to provide our community with gifts and a Santa experience that they may not be able to access elsewhere.” With the cost of living crisis deepening, the generosity of First Direct and CFL has become a beacon of hope, delivering more than just physical presents—it offers the spirit of the season to those most in need.
Community Champions and Heartfelt Gestures
Leeds boasts a strong network of ‘clusters’ that are crucial to the campaign’s success. These clusters, partnerships of organizations working alongside schools, identify and support vulnerable families. One such cluster, the 2gether Cluster in north Leeds, has distributed 37 presents to 13 families this year alone. Colette Kurylo, the cluster leader, expressed her gratitude, highlighting how these efforts alleviate parental stress during the festive season. “Every year is amazing and helps take the stress away from parents and carers,” Kurylo stated, underscoring the difference these gestures make.
Park Square Barristers, one of the campaign ambassadors, has been instrumental in garnering over 100 gifts. Their senior managing clerk, Richard Sadler, shared the enthusiasm felt by his colleagues, saying, “Our barristers and staff take great pride in providing personalized gifts to support families in Leeds.” As the physical manifestation of their support gathers in the chambers, it’s clear that the act of giving extends beyond the material—it’s a celebration of community solidarity.
Further testament to the broad-based community support, various organizations have contributed unique gifts and experiences. Trinity Leeds has provided vouchers for care leavers, while the White Rose Shopping Centre organized a ‘breakfast with Santa’. Other notable contributions include gift sets from Lloyds Banking Group, specifically tailored presents from the Grammar School at Leeds for kinship carers, and Leeds Rhinos giving away 150 tickets to their Boxing Day game. These are but a few examples of the collective effort to ensure joy is shared this holiday season.
A Brighter Christmas for Leeds Children
The foundation of the ‘Christmas Gifting’ initiative rests on the shoulders of Leeds City Council’s dedication to its constituents. Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for children and families, emphasized the council’s commitment. “Through our Child Friendly Leeds initiative and partners, we are able to understand where areas of greatest need lie in Leeds,” said Councillor Hayden. She also added her heartfelt thanks to the businesses contributing to the cause.
One of the more enchanting events facilitated by CFL this year was the Northern Lights spectacular at Temple Newsam. Fifty tickets to this magical event were given to foster families and ‘independent visitors’ – volunteers dedicating their time to children in care. These experiences do more than just entertain; they create lasting memories and a sense of belonging for those who often feel left out of festive celebrations.
As the initiative continues to grow, CFL remains open to new partnerships and involvement from schools, organizations, or groups. Those interested in supporting the annual gifting initiative are encouraged to reach out via email at childfriendlyleeds@leeds.gov.uk. In a time when many are facing unprecedented challenges, the continuous efforts of CFL and its partners shine as an example of the true meaning of the holiday season – giving, sharing, and caring for one another.
For media enquiries, please contact the Leeds City Council communications and marketing team at communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 378 6007.
- The annual ‘Christmas Gifting’ campaign in Leeds, organized by Child Friendly Leeds (CFL), provides personalized gifts and experiences to children facing financial hardship during the holiday season.
- Last year, the initiative reached over 2,100 children with gifts valued at £18,600, showcasing community support and commitment to spreading joy.
- Local businesses play a crucial role in the campaign, with over 100 gifts already contributed through events like the Christmas fair at Gipton’s Old Fire Station.
- Various community clusters, such as the 2gether Cluster in north Leeds, are essential in identifying and supporting vulnerable families, alleviating parental stress during the festive season.
- The campaign is supported by a wide range of organizations providing unique gifts and experiences, ensuring that children in Leeds can experience the joy of Christmas despite financial difficulties.