Make a young person in Norfolk smile this Christmas
The County Council are running their Christmas Collection campaign with a difference
Help make a young person smile this Christmas by donating a gift to teenagers in care in Norfolk.
The Norfolk public and county council staff are being asked to bring some festive cheer to 16 and 17-year-olds in care this Christmas.
It's been a difficult year and young people have been hit especially hard by the pandemic.
Teenagers living in supported accommodation may not have their families around them this Christmas and for many, a donation from you might be the only gift they get this year.
It will be different this year
The Christmas Collection campaign for 16 and 17-year-olds has been running now for several years but because of the pandemic this year it will be organised slightly differently.
Instead of donating physical gifts, people are being asked to give digitally by sending e-gift vouchers. The deadline for donations is December 16.
Councillor John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children's Services said:
"We were overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Norfolk when campaign ran last year. Now, these young people are facing extra challenges due to the pandemic, so it's more important than ever that youngsters in care feel included this Christmas. Receiving these vouchers could be the only gift they get this year, so let's bring joy to as many as we can."
Speaking about last year's campaign, one of the accommodation providers said:
"The young people have always been very appreciative of the donations you have given them at Christmas, we do our best to get the guys things they would like at Christmas time. However, a lot of young people do not see many of their extended family and some don't see their parents, so it is lovely to see them creating positive memories and having an enjoyable Christmas.
The gifts you have brought the young people gives them the knowledge that there is someone else who cares and is thinking about them. The hair dye was a particular hit with a group of girls we had one year! it's those little luxuries that they would not otherwise be able to afford."