Mission Christmas donations provide gifts for 288,715 children
Because of your generosity, we can support even more disadvantaged children than we did last year
This year's Mission Christmas appeal has raised enough money to help deliver gifts to 288,715 disadvantaged children across the UK.
The largest Christmas toy appeal in the UK, Mission Christmas is an annual campaign run by heat radio charity Cash for Kids, which aims to give Santa a helping hand in getting presents to those in our community who may otherwise go without.
Your generosity in 2021 has meant we can support 13% more children than we did last year.
Record year for applications
This year we had record levels of requests for help as a result of the economic climate which has this year pushed more and more families into poverty, likely accelerated by the end of the Universal Credit top up and furlough.
Cash For Kids Lead, and Chief Elf Emma Brown said
“For many of us, being with loved ones will be the ultimate Christmas gift this year. However, for many families 2021 has been a continuous and devastating financial struggle, with Christmas becoming more of a burden than a celebration.
"We’re so happy then that thanks to the enormous generosity of our listeners, we’re able to deliver joy to more than 288,000 children in our communities.
"We couldn’t have done it without you, thank you!”
Mission Christmas elves still hard at work
The team at Cash For Kids are already hard at work ensuring that gifts will reach the homes of the children who need them most. The charity works with many local grass-root organisations as well as social workers, head teachers and the emergency services who nominate families in crisis to be supported by the appeal.
You can continue to help make a difference to lives of disadvantaged children in your area by making a donation to Cash For Kids. To make a contribution or see how you can get involved in future campaigns, please visit www.cashforkids.uk.com
2021 has been a tough year for families across the UK
Children living in poverty
In March 2020, 4.3m children were living in poverty in the UK. That's 30% of all children, and 500,000 more than five years ago.
It's feared the pandemic and the economic situation caused by Brexit has made the situation even worse
Money worries
The £20 a week increase in Universal Credit introduced at the start of the pandemic was removed by the government in October.
Campaigners says the cut to income affects the poorest members of society just as prices are starting to rise.
Energy prices rise
Inflation is increasing as we head towards Christmas.
That means we all have to pay more for day-to-day items.
The price of gas has rocketed since the summer, leaving some families choosing between heating their homes or feeding their families.
Working families struggling
Three-quarters of children living in poverty are from households where at least one parent works. That's up from two-thirds in 2014-15.
Where is worst hit?
There are people living in poverty across the UK, but the highest numbers are in cities with the biggest populations, London and Birmingham.
Wales has the highest rate per nation while poverty is increasing at its fastest rate in the North East.