West Berkshire Council’s annual Giving Tree campaign is back again this year and we’re teaming up with local domestic abuse services to wrap up Christmas for those in need.
The Giving Tree campaign provides gifts for victims of Domestic Abuse and their families over Christmas.
Last year, the Giving Tree truly gripped the hearts of many people across West Berkshire and we received an overwhelming 187 presents!
This year, we are pleased to announce that the Giving Tree has extended its branches across the district to include trees at the Newbury, Theale and Hungerford Libraries. An online booking platform has also been set up, so there are even more ways people can get involved in the gift of giving.
All Giving Tree labels contain anonymised information on the person the gift will be for (for example, ‘Girl age 9’ or ‘Man age 82’).
If participating in person, you can select a label from one of the nominated locations, buy a corresponding gift and drop it back off to where the label was collected, or at one of our other locations if easier. Online, participants can use our web booking platform to select who they would like to buy a gift for, then purchase their gift online (identifying our Market Street Council Offices as the delivery address).
The campaign also provides a good opportunity to support local businesses by ‘shopping local’ and buying gifts from local retailers. Look out for the Giving Tree stickers in shop windows near you.
Graham Bridgman, West Berkshire’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing said, “Each and every present gives victims of Domestic Abuse in West Berkshire hope for a better Christmas. It’s really easy to take part in this act of kindness and, quite often, this will be the only gift someone will receive this year.
“Christmas is a time for giving and the Giving Tree allows us to share the Christmas spirit by donating a gift to a child or adult in need.
“People often have to leave everything behind when going into Refuge in order to protect themselves and their children – many children have to leave their toys behind as well as their friends and family. Your generosity gives families something positive at a time of great stress and upheaval.”
A spokesperson from West Berkshire Domestic Abuse Service, provided by A2Dominion, said: “The Giving Tree is a brilliant scheme that allows some of the most hidden people in society to have a Christmas at a really difficult time of year.
“Please give generously, as your gift can make a world of difference to families that have had to leave their homes with absolutely nothing in order to be safe.”
The deadline for us to receive your gifts is Wednesday 15 December.
See more information or give to the Giving Tree at https://info.westberks.gov.uk/givingtree2021
