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TouchPoint Kids’ Christmas Gift Appeal raises £20,000 to spread festive joy to 800 families in Uttlesford




Children across Uttlesford will see their Christmas wishes come true thanks to a festive fundraising campaign run by TouchPoint Stansted.

The community organisation launched its Kids’ Christmas Appeal 2024 in November with the ambitious target of raising £25,000 to help families with the cost of present-buying.

While it has not quite hit the target, it has still managed to raise around £20,000 – £3,000 more than last year – and has handed out £25 gift vouchers to the families of 800 children, 200 more than in 2023.

The Singing Santas were out raising money for TouchPoint Stansted's Kids' Christmas Gift Appeal
The Singing Santas were out raising money for TouchPoint Stansted's Kids' Christmas Gift Appeal

TouchPoint founder Paul Chambers said the generosity of donations had made a significant impact on families in need this Christmas.

“We are hearing consistently both from our partners at primary schools and with organisations like Uttlesford Foodbank that we have a significant number of people in Uttlesford who are just hanging on.

“All are saying that these small acts of kindness, which are facilitated by the generosity of the community, can be game-changing for some at Christmas.”

He described TouchPoint as “incredibly busy” at this time of year with “an awful lot of families” facing significant challenges.

By working with the foodbank, Home-Start Essex, Action for Family Carers, MIND in West Essex and 10 Uttlesford primary schools it had identified those for whom a voucher could make a big difference.

On Thursday evening (Dec 20) Stansted’s Singing Santas toured the village collecting donations as they performed for villagers at various venues and pubs.

Paul said the group collected £650 on the night and had since added a further £50 to the appeal.

He added: “The latest total for the appeal is £18,010, plus gift aid of £713 which makes £18,723. We have verbal pledges that should get us to £20,000 if people do what they have promised!

“Our fundraising target was extremely ambitious, but in getting to £20,000 we will have exceeded last year’s total by nearly £3,000.

“We are incredibly grateful to all in our community for their generosity and support. We bought 800 vouchers at £25 each and they have been distributed.

“We have been delighted with the success of the appeal. In the current climate it’s wonderful that so many people have been willing to donate. We have also had numerous donations of toys and other gifts. It’s a really impressive community effort.”



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