Call to action as 200 kids in Aldridge without presents this Christmas

A charity in Aldridge has launched an appeal after identifying at least 200 local children who will be without Christmas presents this year.

The Thomas Project, based on Walsall Wood Road, said the rise in the cost of living has affected families year-on-year.

Charity manager Liz McMeekin fears that waking up to no presents on Christmas morning can leave children feeling forgotten by Santa or as though they’ve landed on the naughty list.

The Thomas Project has supported locals in need for over 25 years by offering a twice weekly food bank, housing advice and activities to tackle social isolation.

The charity says it offers people a ‘hand up’ rather than a ‘hand out’ to help people get back on their feet during times of hardship and unexpected circumstances.

She said: “People coming to the food bank, they don’t know if they’re going to heat the house of buy food. They come to us, very often they’ll be in tears, feeling guilty that they’re there.

“If they can’t afford to buy food for their kids they can’t afford to buy toys. They’re in a real dilemma.

“People will often typecast and say people don’t want to work and just live off benefits but there’s many people who find it difficult for so many reasons.

“We had a nurse come to us recently who had been managing her bills on her own but with the cost of living she’d gone over the line.

“It’s really difficult for many kinds of people and every situation is different. We support in any way that we can.

“For the children who believe in Santa they feel so inferior or like they are on the naughty list because they’re not receiving gifts like their classmates. It’s terrible for children to have to feel that way. Children feel like Santa has forgotten them.”

The Thomas Project is hoping to raise a total of £2000 to cover 200 presents worth £10. The children affected have been identified by the charity’s social services partners and local schools.

Aldridge based business Dunton Environmental has already pledged £500 to the campaign to cover 50 children’s presents.

Aldridge Central and South ward members, Councillors Tim Wilson and John Murray, have both pledged to support £250 each from their Aldrigde based businesses, Logistics World and GreenThumb, covering a further 50 kids.

The Thomas Project is urging further businesses to step forward to plug the £1000 shortfall for the remaining 100 children.

The charity said if any further funds are raised it would roll onto next year’s present drive.

Liz added: “If there’s any businesses out there who would be interested in getting involved in this, your help is going to make a child’s Christmas and put a smile on their face.”

By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service