Christmas gifts wrapped for children across London

Matt Gravellingin Barking and DagenhamBBCVolunteers gathered in Barking to unfold some Christmas cheerMore than 100 volunteers have gathered in an east London group corridor to wrap 1000’s of Christmas presents for kids throughout the capital, with organisers saying for some, it might be the one reward they might get this yr.The Kindness Offensive, a charity that redistributes donated items to varsities, meals banks and group teams, was behind the reward drive.David Goodfellow, the occasion’s organiser, mentioned the challenge was targeted on kids from households dealing with hardship.”For lots of the kids we’re serving to as we speak, what they get from this challenge, what they get from the Kindness Offensive, goes to be the one factor they get for Christmas,” he mentioned.The presents had been donated by corporations earlier than being wrapped and loaded onto a pink bus for supply throughout the capital.One volunteer mentioned the occasion was about greater than presents, and extra about giving kids hope.One other lady mentioned the occasion was a strategy to finish the yr “on a excessive”.David Goodfellow mentioned the presents could be the one presents some kids obtain this ChristmasDominic Twomey, chief of Barking and Dagenham Council, mentioned youngster poverty remained a severe situation within the borough.”We now have 4 in 10 of our youngsters underneath the age of 16 dwelling in poverty,” he mentioned, and added the presents helped ease stress on mother and father at a tough time of yr.The bus delivering the presents made a cease at Becontree Major College in Dagenham on Wednesday.Pupils there didn’t know a shock was ready for them, mentioned head trainer Marie Ziane.Becontree Major College pupils had been among the many first to get their presents”Not one among them who’re going to come back into the corridor find out about this,” she mentioned.”I am actually wanting ahead to the shock on their faces.”Organisers mentioned the purpose of the Kindness Offensive was to make sure no youngster felt forgotten at Christmas, notably as households proceed to battle with the price of dwelling.Volunteers mentioned they hoped the presents would convey some pleasure to kids who would possibly in any other case go with out.Extra on Christmas in London