‘No one should wake up to nothing on Christmas morning’
Four Hull children have returned for their fourth year of spreading festive cheer by sending gifts to some of the poorest in the community. Lift Kingswood pupils Thea, 11, Ava, 12, and Phoebe, 12, and Sirius North pupil Laurie, 11, run ‘Santa Squad’, which will be giving out more than 1,000 gifts.
The children and families most in need are identified through partners, such as schools, homeless shelters, and domestic violence shelters. This Christmas, they have the mammoth task of securing presents for 1,181 referrals locally.
If you want to help out, they have an Amazon wish list. There are also Santa Squad drop-off points, including several businesses in Hull, where people can deliver gifts in person ahead of distribution.
There is a GoFundMe page too where people can donate money used to purchase gifts. This year, Phoebe, Ava, Laurie and Thea climbed the equivalent height of the Humber Bridge at Rock Up indoor climbing wall to raise money.
Beki, mum of Thea and Ava, told the Hull Daily Mail: “They ended up climbing the wall 78 times. They were all tired and sweaty, bless them.”
The fundraiser says: “Hull is one of the most deprived areas of the UK and unfortunately things are getting worse. We have seen an increase in those needing help.
“We understand it is a hard time for everyone and ask kindly that you spare what you can, every little bit helps! We will try our hardest to reach as many children and families in need this year as no one should wake up to nothing on Christmas morning. All funds raise will go towards filling any gaps in items we need.”
Beki said they “desperately need donations” before the deadline of Sunday, December 7. This gives them enough time to collect, bag, and distribute the presents.
The big pack – where the presents are sorted and put into bags – will happen on December 12 and 13. “We haven’t got long left,” Beki added.
Gifts on the Amazon wishlist, which can be viewed here, are for a wide variety of ages. There are sensory toys for young children, journals, Barbie dolls, Pokémon cuddly toys, pyjamas, socks, and popular books and board games.
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