One in a MILLION!
This week we’re celebrating the inspiring story of Donna Pariser, 41, from Surrey. She said...
Watching as the pile of wrapping paper grew higher, I couldn’t believe how much stuff we’d accumulated at Christmas.
Our garage was already filled with old toys, buggies and baby books we’d got from previous Christmases, that my daughters, Sophie, 11, and Lexie, eight, had outgrown.
I didn’t want to just throw it away – so I did my research, and that’s when I discovered Stripey Stork.
We’re a baby bank collecting donations of clothes and essential items for children, rehoming them with local families experiencing hardship, I read from the website.
It sounded perfect. So, dropping off a boot-load of things the next morning, I got chatting to the volunteers.
And the following week, I signed up myself!
That’s when I found out about Santa Stork.
Christmas is an especially tough time for vulnerable families – some parents aren’t able to give their children the magical day the deserve.
So, back in 2013, Santa Stork was born – a campaign that makes sure no child in the community is left without a present on Christmas Day.
We put out a request to the local community, asking families to choose a gift from the options available on our online Santa shop.
Nothing would be possible without their generosity.
It means families can make new traditions, too – my daughter’s absolutely love getting involved.
Our team of elves then match the gifts to the children and send them off, ready for the big day! Our families are sent to us on referral, which means help can get to where it’s most needed.
Instead of wrapping the gifts ourselves, we send off wrapping paper, ribbons and gift tags, so the parents can feel involved in the process.
And we’ve had such a positive response.
I was so worried about my child being asked what he got for Christmas, one mother wrote in to us. I’ll never forget what Santa Stork have done for me.
We always make sure to put in a little gift for Mum, too.
Last year, we gave out 5,000 gifts to children in our local community, and we plan to do exactly the same this year, distributing gifts to women’s shelters, hospitals or families that might be struggling.
After all, we all deserve a magical Christmas.
Our elves make sure of it!
● To give a gift this Christmas visit: stripeystork.org.uk
We ensure no child is left without a gift