Charity Christmas Appeal
Secret Santa charity Christmas appeal
You could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas.
“Santa came, he really came!"
*This story is based on real examples of children we support.
Last Christmas, Chloe* and her mum were huddled under blankets, without heating or enough food, and presents were out of the question.
With your support for our Christmas appeal, Action for Children's team were able to give Chloe the most magical Christmas.
Buy a charity Christmas gift
Your virtual gift could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas
Send a Christmas eCard
Treat your loved ones to Christmas eCards that give back
Last winter, six-year-old football fan Chloe* spent most days huddled under blankets in the living room - the only room her mum Layla* could afford to heat.
*This story is based on real examples of children we support.
Despite working as a care worker, Layla was struggling financially and often skipped meals so Chloe could eat.
Thanks to supporters like you, we were able to step in just before Christmas with festive food and presents.
On Christmas morning, Layla watched Chloe’s excitement as she opened the football boots she’d been dreaming of all year.
Watching Chloe’s face was just the best feeling ever. The excitement, the pure joy, I will never forget it. She burst into tears and kept saying "Santa came, he really came!"
Layla
The difference you could make...
Jess' story
“Action for Children made our Christmas magical. I’d also just come out of hospital so to receive all those gifts and food vouchers was extra special, and Jess was over the moon about her ice cream maker.”
Joel's story
"Joel was given a giant Scooby Doo. He was just beaming when he opened it. His brother, Kiyan and him, both received arts and crafts things, Kiyan's absolute favourite was stencils. [Action for Children] made our Christmas that year."
Ada-May's story
“Ada-May was very excited to meet Santa. As she walked into Santa’s Grotto, she turned around to face me and said ‘wow, this is amazing!’. Megan, Ada-May's mum, is so grateful for the support she received, she now volunteers at the annual grotto."
Fin's story
"Fin is six, he has non-verbal autism and complex health issues. Linda [Action for Children] ... brought Fin and his brothers a Christmas present. It was so kind and thoughtful of her. It was a ‘whack the dinosaur’ game and they just loved it."
Jaiden's story
"It was Jaiden's first Christmas, and he loved all the lights hanging up... presents arrived all wrapped up from Santa and they dove into them on Christmas morning. Jaiden got a book and our two older boys had activity packs which they loved."
Each year, we ask people to be a charity Secret Santa for a vulnerable child by donating to our Christmas appeal.
Why?
Because for too many children across the UK, Christmas is anything but magical. No stockings. No presents. No festive food - often no food at all.
But you could help change that.
Donate today and you could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas.
If you would like to know more about how our charity Christmas appeal works, who it helps or how to donate, head to our frequently asked questions page.
Be a Secret Santa
Make a donation
Vulnerable children in the UK need a Secret Santa like you.
We’re lighting up the UK with Secret Santas
Every time a donation is made, a star can be added to our map
Total donations
£8796
Secret Santas
266
Your virtual gift is a donation that helps us support vulnerable children, young people and their families in the UK.
85p of every £1* we spend goes directly towards helping children, young people and their families. We make sure that every penny you donate goes where it will have the greatest impact on children’s lives. Donations from this campaign will be unrestricted and used by Action for Children for its general charitable purposes. That means they’re not spent on one project or one specific area of the UK, but where the need is greatest. Some of our unrestricted funding goes towards essential management and administration costs to make sure funding can reach the children and families who are most in need of support.
*Figure based on audited 2023/24 charity accounts that exclude subsidiary companies like commercial nurseries.
