Romford: Charity appeals for Christmas gifts for vulnerable children

The charity is normally "inundated" with donations, as seen in the picture on the left, but this year its warehouse is "almost empty"

A charity that provides festive gifts to disadvantaged children said it was praying for a "Christmas miracle" as its donations were down.

S.M.I.L.E London & Essex aims to provide each child it supports with a wrapped shoebox of gifts to open on 25 December.

It said there were 2,400 children to provide for this year, but 400 boxes had been donated so far.

The charity said donations were down because of the cost of living crisis.

Maria Quaife, the charity's founder and chief executive, said it had been the "worst year" since the organisation was launched in 2016.

"We've never ever been this below our target," she said.

The boxes filled with presents may contain gifts including slippers, sweets, chocolates, colouring pencils, toys and books

S.M.I.L.E London & Essex provides essential items to those in need, and many of the children it supports have been temporarily housed in hostels with their families.

Ms Quaife said the charity had seen a 41% rise in the number of homeless families it was supporting this year.

The Romford-based charity said it would normally be "inundated" with donations for its shoebox appeal, but this year its warehouse was "almost empty".

On the charity's Facebook page, it posted: "Pray for a Christmas miracle.

"We don't want any child to be without a gift this Christmas."

'Stocking fillers'

Ms Quaife told BBC Radio London that people who usually donate were now struggling financially.

She said: "People who used to give are now our clients and they're coming to us for support."

Ms Quaife said each shoebox contained newly bought items, including something a child could play with, something to craft, something to eat, something to read and something to wear.

But, she told the BBC, the charity was looking for people to wrap up "stocking fillers" if they could not afford more than that.

The S.M.I.L.E Christmas Shoebox Appeal runs until 30 November.

After this date, anyone wanting to donate can find out how by contacting the charity directly, Ms Quaife said.

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