Children across the UK need a Secret Santa like you

The magic of Christmas begins in childhood. Hanging stockings. Sharing festive food. Presents under the tree. It’s a time for children to feel loved and make memories that last a lifetime.

But for vulnerable children across the UK, Christmas is anything but magical. No stockings. No presents. No festive food - maybe no food at all.

At Action for Children, we're a children's charity who see children struggling every day. Children without a bed sleeping on the floor. Families phoning us crying because they have no money for food.

But we also see the difference you can make.

By donating and becoming a Secret Santa, you could give a vulnerable child the essentials of warm clothes, a hot meal, or a special present just for them.

For every £1 we spend, 85p helps children and families

Be a Secret Santa and you could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas

Last year, incredible people like you helped us be there for 687,755 children, young people and families in the UK, through 372 services. Vulnerable children and families given hope and support, because of your amazing generosity.

Childhood is short. We don’t have long to make magical memories. That’s why we need your support now. 

Donate to our Christmas appeal this winter and become a Secret Santa. You could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas.

Vulnerable children in the UK desperately need a Secret Santa like you.

You could gift a vulnerable child food, warmth, and love

Browse gifts

687,755

We helped 687,755 children and families in 2023/24

150 years

We’ve been helping children for more than 150 years

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

£610974

Secret Santas

18209

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.