Essex Police delivers presents to vulnerable children
Thousands of gifts were donated to Essex Police's Christmas appeal.
Essex Police has thanked all those who donated to their Community Christmas Giving Tree appeal.
Over 12,000 presents were collected in just over a fortnight in the end.
Temporary Superintendent Lily Benbow said: “It’s an amazing total, I never dreamed we’d get so many. People have been so very kind.”
“Children have bought gifts with their pocket money and some older people have said they used some of their Winter Fuel Allowance because it hasn’t been very cold recently and everyone has agreed it’s for such a good cause.
"And presents are still arriving at our stations but, don’t worry, we’ll find a good home for them.
“To everyone who has donated, I just want you all to know that your wonderful generosity will provide some Christmas cheer for children and young people who have very little.
“Thankfully, working with our partners, we got most of the presents to children and young people last week before most of the county went into Tier 4.
“This week, our partners will be continuing deliveries as part of their normal visits. We’ll give some of the remaining gifts to young victims of crimes such as burglary and domestic abuse over the festive season, where it’s appropriate, and the rest we’ll deliver when we go back down the tiers,”
As well as Children’s Social Care, officers and staff worked with local councils, charities, churches, schools, refuges, foodbanks, hospital children’s wards, hospices and social housing developments to make sure all presents donated go to a good home.