Christmas items wrapped for youngsters throughout London | EUROtoday

More than 100 volunteers have gathered in an east London group corridor to wrap 1000’s of Christmas presents for youngsters throughout the capital, with organisers saying for some, it might be the one reward they might get this 12 months.

The Kindness Offensive, a charity that redistributes donated items to colleges, meals banks and group teams, was behind the reward drive.

David Goodfellow, the occasion’s organiser, mentioned the undertaking was centered on youngsters from households going through hardship.

“For a lot of the children we are helping today, what they get from this project, what they get from the Kindness Offensive, is going to be the only thing they get for Christmas,” he mentioned.

The items have been donated by firms earlier than being wrapped and loaded onto a pink bus for supply throughout the capital.

One volunteer mentioned the occasion was about greater than presents, and extra about giving youngsters hope.

Another girl mentioned the occasion was a technique to finish the 12 months “on a high”.

Dominic Twomey, chief of Barking and Dagenham Council, mentioned baby poverty remained a severe situation within the borough.

“We have four in 10 of our children under the age of 16 living in poverty,” he mentioned, and added the items helped ease strain on mother and father at a troublesome time of 12 months.

The bus delivering the presents made a cease at Becontree Primary School in Dagenham on Wednesday.

Pupils there didn’t know a shock was ready for them, mentioned head instructor Marie Ziane.

“Not one of them who are going to come into the hall know about this,” she mentioned.

“I’m really looking forward to the surprise on their faces.”

Organisers mentioned the purpose of the Kindness Offensive was to make sure no baby felt forgotten at Christmas, notably as households proceed to wrestle with the price of residing.

Volunteers mentioned they hoped the items would carry some pleasure to youngsters who may in any other case go with out.