Give Christmas
This year we want to ensure that every child in East Elmbridge gets a Christmas gift.
We are partnering with Walton Charity and Stripey Stork to buy any child who needs one, a brand new Christmas present.
Each family we support will choose presents for their children from a catalogue, collect and wrap them at a giveaway morning and have a chance to meet and talk to us about further support we are able to help them with.
This is in addition to the food support East Elmbridge food bank is giving to families.
How you can support the campaign
Any amount given for children in Elmbridge will be matched by Walton Charity, up to a total of £5,000.
This combined with GiftAid means any amount you are able to give will go further, enabling us to help more families.
If we are able to raise enough money we want to be able to add to the gifts families receive by providing Christmas jumpers or pyjamas for children, gifts for parents, new toothbrushes and other stocking fillers too.
This is alongside continuing our work of supporting those in need by listening, giving advice and helping with things like fuel bills, especially this winter when times are harder than ever.
If you would like to give to the Walton Charity Matched giving fund please go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/santastork22.
If the campaign has reached its £5,000 target, You can also give directly to East Elmbridge food bank to help us with the costs of providing additional support to these families.
Thank you, for your support.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child would like to select a present to give in a shop, can they do that?
Santa Stork does have an online shop and catalogue where you can view the presents that are on offer. Although you can donate to Santa Stork this way, we are asking the residents of Elmbridge to consider donating via the Walton Charities just giving campaign so that donations can be matched and gift aid can also be given. For example a donation of £5 could be doubled to £10 by Walton Charities and then another £1.25 with gift aid. That £5 would buy £11.25 worth of presents.
We would like to give but can’t afford a financial gift
We are also looking for gifts for stockings. Chocolate coins, selection boxes and new toiletry gifts are being collected at some Surrey libraries, including the Dittons, Molesey and Esher.
What kind of presents are available to families?
The catalogue of available gifts go from 0-16 and there is a selection of things available for all ages to choose from. The gift ideas were chosen by local school children. Some examples include; lego, spiderman costumes, a neon sign maker, makeup kits, dinosaurs, football (and a pump), peppa pig, paw patrol, fisher price toys etc.
Can I give an unused present I have in a cupboard?
We are focusing our efforts this year on giving a gift to children that has been selected by the family. If you have a new gift you would like to give you can donate it to the food bank. We will either use it as part of our Christmas appeal, give it to Stripey Stork for future giving or use it in a local mum-to-mum give away. We don’t want to send any usable items to landfill.
How do you ensure the gifts will be used by the children?
Santa Stork ensures that everything a child needs will come with that gift. For example if it is a battery operated toy, spare batteries will be included, if it is a football a pump will be provided.
How do you decide who gets a present?
We are working with local schools, nurseries and health professionals to ask who may need a present this year.
I feel I may need a present for my child this year, who do I ask about it?
Please approach your child’s school about this, and let them know about any siblings too. If your child is not at school and you are in need of a present, please email [email protected]
Can we fundraise to make money for the Christmas campaign or the food bank?
Yes! Cake sales, mufti days and Christmas jumper competitions are all great ways to make money for the Christmas appeal or the food bank. Please let us know about your efforts, we would love to celebrate with you.
Where do the gifts come from?
Stripey Stork order the toys in bulk from Toy Masters, one of the local independent toy shops near them. This works beneficial for them and us, as it helps support a small business but they also offer Stripey Stork a discount as so many presents are purchased.