Gosport woman appeals for donations to keep Christmas magic alive for low-income families
Charlotte Blake is also hosting a Christmas party for local children
A woman is appealing for donations to buy Christmas presents for children from low income families ahead of the festive season.
Charlotte Blake, from Gosport, started present collections during the pandemic, and throws an annual Christmas party for local children to enjoy the festive spirit.
“We need to keep the magic alive for those kids,” she said. “When you see the relief on the parents' faces its all worth it.”
Charlotte said that “hundreds of children are going to miss out” this festive season unless she can raise enough money and collect enough donations to continue her gift drive this year.
“We deliver them to houses and schools. To me this is everything, this year will be my seventh year of doing this,” she said.
Charlotte previously ran a foodbank, Crisis Food Gosport, from her own driveway, but was forced to close earlier this year.
“If you were hungry I would feed you, but the bills got too high and I couldn’t afford to keep it going anymore,” she said.
Charlotte had to cancel a party she had planned in a soft play centre for this Christmas as it was too expensive, but promises that local families will still have a chance to enjoy the festive cheer.
“We will be having a Christmas party and Father Christmas is coming, and there will be a free photographer for taking family pictures, and a DJ and go karts.”
She has started a GoFundMe to help fund this year’s Christmas party and present drive.
“People can donate a present or donate money so I can go and buy a present. I would be grateful for anything, but what we especially need is presents for older teenagers, people don’t tend to donate for that age group, things like bath stuff or sprays,” she said.
“I don’t want any child to go without.”
You can find out more about Charlotte’s fundraising events, and how to donate, here.