Giving Tree gifts make a real difference to disadvantaged children
Annual appeal asks members of the public to bring in presents for disadvantaged children so that they get new toys this Christmas
Alan Bunce
Charities have spoken of how much The Giving Tree appeal means to them.
The annual drive, launched last Saturday at pentahotel, asks generous members of the public and staff at some of Reading's major employers to bring in presents for disadvantaged children so that they get new toys just like other children this Christmas.
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Dingley family and specialist early year centre for pre-school children with additional needs is one of the recipient charities.
Manager Louise Farmer said the children benefitted greatly from the appeal because it meant all of them would get a present.
She said: "It is such a pleasure to see the enjoyment and happiness on our children's faces when they receive their new gift kindly donated from The Giving Tree."
Dingley received an extra benefit from the launch when two staff members asked Coronation Street stars Catherine Tyldesley and Ryan Thomas to sign two masquerade masks that will be up for auction at The Dingley Masquerade Ball.
Launchpad, which supports the homeless, has an increasing number of families on its books. Numbers in emergency housing, including bed and breakfast, are also increasing.
Fundraiser Ele Buckley said: "Being able to provide their child with a toy at Christmas would mean a great deal to them.
"Donations of toys via The Giving Tree will ensure that some of the most disadvantaged families are at least able to give their children a present that they would otherwise be unable to afford.
"We recognise that it does not solve all their problems, but it gives them the chance to enjoy the festive season more and their children the chance to feel the same as other children.
"Currently, we are supporting 24 families with a total of 35 children.
"A 100 per cent of the families are lone parent families, with 16 girls and 19 boys ranging from babies (under the age of one) to 15 years."
You can find Giving Trees at Broad Street Mall and The Oracle and our own Reading Post offices in Tessa Road.
Other employers taking part are BG Group, hibu, Kyocera, Malmaison, Microsoft, Morgan Cole, Novotel, Prudential, Thames Water, and Wipro.
Broad Street Mall
The Oracle Shopping Centre