Local children’s charity Befriend a Child is appealing to the Aberdeen public to help bring the magic of Christmas to children living in difficult life circumstances through its annual Giving Tree Appeal.
The Giving Tree is a simple concept that has a powerful effect for the families Befriend a Child supports locally. Members of the public can get involved by picking up a tag from one of the charity’s Giving Tree Partners across Aberdeen City and Shire.
The tags ask supporters to either buy a Christmas gift locally and drop off at the charity’s office, buy from the charity’s Amazon Wishlist, which gets delivered straight to Befriend a Child, or donate money which can go towards experiences and outings in 2025.
Sarah Misra, CEO at Befriend a Child, said: “We are dedicated to making Christmas special for each child and young person we support, as well as their siblings.
"With the continuing rise in the cost of living this year, we know many of our families will struggle more than ever to heat their homes and provide meals for their children, let alone purchase gifts at Christmas time.”
Sarah continued: “Our Giving Tree appeal helps to ease the financial pressure on the families we support and ensures that children have a magical Christmas. Every year when we launch the appeal we are overwhelmed with the generosity of the general public and the gifts we receive. It means so much to the children we support.”
As well as providing Christmas gifts, the appeal also helps the charity to raise vital funds for its befriending and mentoring programmes, supporting over 260 local children each year. The money raised ensures the children and young people have outings to look forward to with their volunteer in the year ahead.
“The experiences the children enjoy with their befrienders and mentors have a truly incredible impact on their lives," Sarah said.
"It gives the children the opportunity to take part in activities that may otherwise not be available to them, helping them grow in confidence and self-esteem, learn new skills and improve their wellbeing as they spend time with a trusted friend and positive adult role model.”
Find out all the information on how to get involved with the appeal and full list of Giving Tree Partners via the charity’s website - https://www.befriendachild.org.uk/Appeal/giving-tree-2024
Donations of physical gifts can be dropped off to the Befriend a Child offices at 9 Bon Accord Square by 4pm on Monday December 9 or monetary donations for experiences can be donated until December 24.