Gloucestershire Bundles gift toys to 700 children for Christmas

Dawn Dolphin founded the charity in 2013 to help others who couldn't afford things for their children

A charity has provided nearly 700 children with Christmas presents this year, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Gloucestershire Bundles provide emergency packs of clothing and toys to pregnant women and families in crisis.

CEO Dawn Dolphin said the children otherwise wouldn't have presents, but gifts were possible thanks to donations.

Ms Dolphin said: "The last six weeks have been absolutely manic.

"We do specific Christmas referrals which is new toys and gifts for children and young people.

"It's around eight to 10 new gifts per child," she added.

Nearly 700 children in Gloucestershire have received gifts from the charity this Christmas

Funded by some grants but mostly relying on donations from the general public, the charity, who are based in Quedgeley, also provide toiletries and equipment for families with children up to the age of 16.

People who use the service, which was founded by Ms Dolphin in 2013, are referred directly through professionals in the social sector, such as community family workers and health visitors.

Ms Dolphin said: "We couldn't do what we do without the general public helping us out and supporting us.

'Drive for donations'

"Obviously, we don't get to see the end result but some of the feedback we get, the families are in tears and they wouldn't get gifts otherwise, if we didn't do what we do," she added.

While the Christmas period has been extremely busy for the charity, Ms Dolphin said they have no plans to settle down and have already organised their donation drive event for 6 January where people are able to donate preloved items.

Items such as clothing, cots, footwear, pushchairs and bouncy chairs can be donated.