It is that time of year again when our Christmas lists start getting longer and the shopping trips never seem to end. But SMKD only has one request. For the last 25 years, children have suffered the highest rates of poverty out of any other group in the UK. According to the End Child Poverty Coalition, 3.6 million children were living in poverty last year. This is set to increase considerably with our country’s cost of living crisis.
Many of these children will not receive a present from Santa this Christmas. Parents all over the country are having to make the tough decision between making their child smile on Christmas morning, and putting food on the table.
At SMKD we are determined to give these children the magical season that they deserve. And you can help. Every year since 1989, JCI Bradford has worked together with different organisations to collect Christmas presents through pop-up collections. These presents are then delivered to needy children throughout Bradford, Kirklees, and Calderdale.
From November 21st until December 8th we will be collecting presents, donated by you. The participating stores are located in Bradford, Halifax, and Huddersfield.
“It is so easy for us to get caught up in the whirlwind of Christmas. Sometimes we forget that the whole point of the holiday is to give to others. Especially to those who can’t afford the luxuries that we take for granted. When we heard about the JCI Secret Santa Appeal, we knew we had to do something for the kids who need a bit of hope during this difficult time.”
SMKD’s Managing Director, Moe.
Our goal is to collect twenty presents per participating store. With your help, we could reach that goal and give a gift to 120 local children. You can find your nearest SMKD on our Store Locator. The stores taking donations are:
If you are able to make a donation, please take the time to drop something off at any of the selected stores. Join the Secret Santa Appeal and help SMKD to make Christmas merry again for families in need.
For more information about the JCI Secret Santa Appeal, visit https://www.secretsantaappeal.org.uk/