Thousands of Christmas gifts donated by kind-hearted supporters to families in south Wales
Save the Children Cymru calls on governments to do more to tackle child poverty
In true festive spirit, individual supporters, local businesses and community partners working alongside Save the Children Cymru have donated hundreds of Christmas gift parcels to children whose families are feeling the pinch this winter.
Gifts including toys, books, warm clothing and blankets were distributed to schools, grass-root organisations and support groups in communities across south Wales as part of appeals organised by kind-hearted volunteers.
This will be the sixth year that Phil Draper from Cardiff has coordinated gifts in kind donated by his friends, family members, and colleagues who galvanised to create 500 individual gift bags for children. Contributions towards the appeal were also provided this year by Caerphilly-based The Toy Box Project.
Glamorgan Cricket’s players, coaches and staff members also played an integral part in supporting the effort by helping to store and deliver the gifts to local schools and children’s centres.
Phil Draper said: “The feedback we receive from the families each year is truly heartbreaking, yet it motivates us to continue the appeal year after year. “Christmas often acts as a magnifier – for many, it brings immense joy, togetherness, and happiness. However, for others, it can bring added stress, loneliness, and worry. The reality that parents and guardians are forced to choose between providing a hot meal, keeping their home warm, or ensuring there are presents under the tree is something that's difficult to grasp.
“This year, the response has been overwhelming. Thanks to the incredible support from the Toy Box Project, along with the generosity of friends, family, and colleagues, we’ve been able to reach more children than ever before. The success of this appeal is entirely due to the kindness and generosity of everyone involved, and I’m so thankful for their time and support.
“My wife Nia, along with our close friends Adam and Jade, are essential in the success of the appeal, not only for support with day-to-day logistics, but also for putting together over 200 gift packages. This year, we had a little helper in our 16-month-old daughter, although more presents were coming out of the bags than going in!”
In acknowledging the generosity of volunteers and supporters during this time of need, Melanie Simmonds, Head of Save the Children Cymru, also called on governments to do more to help children living in poverty.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the efforts and generous offers of Christmas gifts from supporters, individual donors and local projects and businesses to help bring some festive joy during what is proving to be a very dark and bleak winter for many.
“If governments are serious about tackling child poverty this needs to be backed by serious action in 2025. We simply cannot continue having children going to bed in a cold house without a warm meal in their tummies. It’s simply unacceptable and a violation of their basic rights. And we all know that the long-term consequence of poverty is ultimately going to impact more on public spending if immediate action is not taken, resulting in poor health and less employment opportunities for future generations.
“If Welsh Government is serious about tackling child poverty clear targets and a funded delivery plan need to be implemented as part of the Child Poverty Strategy. We are also calling on the UK Government to scrap the cruel two child limit which could lift so many more children in Wales out of poverty.”