Christmas cheer for kids in care

Met Police launches present appeal

THE Met Police has launched its biggest ever charity drive to ensure thousands of children in care across the capital receive a Christmas present this year.

The Christmas Tree Project will see trees placed outside police stations in all 32 London boroughs with tagged ribbons attached.

Londoners are being urged to take a ribbon and follow the instruction on it, so that they can donate a present to a child who may otherwise go without.

Also, this year’s campaign will allow people to donate money instead of giving a gift by visiting a justgiving page, or visit a virtual Christmas tree if unable to get to a police station.

It follows the success of last year’s campaign, where 6,840 gifts were given to children across London.

Met Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe launched this year’s event by switching on the Christmas tree lights outside New Scotland Yard on Tuesday, November 10, and was joined by 10-year-old schoolgirl Daisy HarrisonConstantinides from East London, winner of the Met’s Christmas Tree Campaign poster design competition along with runners up.

The launch also included a performance by the children’s choir from Westminster City School who sang carols to the crowd.

The commissioner said: “Christmas is a time for giving and who more worthy of receiving that generosity, then children in care who can find this season difficult.

“The MPS is grateful to all those who took part in last year’s campaign to spread some Christmas cheer and we hope to do the same this year.”

Presents will be given to young people up to 17 years old who are being cared for by foster parents or are in residential care homes. The suggested maximum spend on a present is £20.

To see the online virtual Met Christmas tree go to w w w. m e t . p o l i c e . u k / christmastree and ti donate money to the cause go to www.justgiving.com/ metxmastree/ The presents will be delivered on Christmas Day.