It’s nearly a wrap for this year’s Giving Tree appeal
SHOPPERS in and around Wokingham have been contributing to a campaign to buy gifts for disadvantaged youngsters who would otherwise go without.
Special Christmas trees – known as The Giving Tree – in a number of local stores and businesses, have been decorated throughout December with gift tag requests from borough children whose families are facing difficulties.
Appeal organiser Gill McKernan, said: “I have been very busy collecting all the wonderful gifts that the kind and generous local people have bought.
“Nearly all the presents have now been delivered to the charities for wrapping, and will be with the children ready for Christmas Day.
“The messages on the tags have brought tears to my eyes, especially the ones written by children.
“A lot of the presents have come in lovely gift bags and have had extras included.
“This year has been another great success with more than 1,000 tags being taken, and there are now none left on the Giving Trees.
“This is so heart warming, as I know there are a lot of people struggling during this expensive time.
“Local people have really dug deep to ensure that no child goes without this Christmas.”
Gill, above, recently collected gifts from one of the businesses supporting the campaign, Artizian Catering.
Tesco Wokingham is another store supporting the Giving Tree appeal.
The supermarket’s community champion Louise Jedras, said: “Thank you to everyone who has picked up a tag from the tree at Tesco Wokingham, your kindness and generosity has once again overwhelmed me; you will have made such a difference to so many local children’s Christmases.“
Anyone who has yet to return their gift to its tree is kindly asked to do so as soon as possible, to ensure it gets to the child in time for Christmas.