8th December 2023
SMILE Christmas Campaign
Our SMILE project supports over 100 single parent families in the local area – our Christmas campaign is on a mission to distribute high-quality gifts to each child and parent. Racheal Peck, SMILE Lone Parent Families Project Lead explained:
“We take time to choose a specific gift that each child will treasure. Our campaign is not about young people receiving more presents but about demonstrating that each child has been remembered at Christmas and is valued.”
Last year SMILE had to purchase many of the Christmas presents gifted to families. This year Faithworks Christmas campaign will enable the project to invest valuable funds saved into other essential provision such as child development and wellbeing courses, the annual lone parent fair and summer activity programme.
The SMILE Christmas Campaign needs help in three ways including:
Present donations – 200 new children’s Christmas presents and 60 new presents for Mums are needed. Children’s presents need to be suitable for ages 0-18 years old, gifts must be new and still in the packaging.
There is a particular need for ages 8 – 15 years old – examples may include lego, a book voucher, luxury hot water bottle, craft sets such as a badge making or diamond painting kits, art pens or luxury shower and body products. Gifts which aid child development, are educational or build self-esteem are ideal.
Donations can be delivered to: Faithworks, Heron Court Road, Bournemouth, BH9 1DE from Monday – Friday (please call the office on 01202 429037 to arrange delivery).
Volunteers – we need 8 volunteers to assist with gift wrapping on the 18th and 19th December. And 6 friendly volunteer drivers are required to help with the Christmas Elf Delivery on the 19th December (own transport is required)! To find out more please email hello@faith-works.org.uk or via the contact form below (please select General from the drop down list) or phone the office on 01202 429037.
Financial donors – we need supporters who are able to give on a regular basis to support SMILE. Regular giving can be set up to SMILE’s bank account:
- CAF Bank
- Sort Code: 40-52-40
- Account no: 00035371
Alternatively follow the link below to the SMILE giving page.
“Thank you so much SMILE for our presents – we absolutely loved them and it really made our Christmas to receive such thoughtfully chosen gifts.” – SMILE Mum, Christmas 2022
*Information from lone parent charity Gingerbread
