"More than 100 volunteers have gathered in an east London community hall to wrap thousands of Christmas presents for children across the capital, with organisers saying for some, it would be the only gift they would get this year. The Kindness Offensive, a charity that redistributes donated goods to schools, food banks and community groups, was behind the gift drive. David Goodfellow, the event's organiser, said the project was focused on children from families facing hardship."
"The gifts were donated by companies before being wrapped and loaded onto a red bus for delivery across the capital. One volunteer said the event was about more than presents, and more about giving children hope. Another woman said the event was a way to end the year "on a high". Dominic Twomey, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said child poverty remained a serious issue in the borough."
"'We have four in 10 of our children under the age of 16 living in poverty,' he said, and added the gifts helped ease pressure on parents at a difficult time of year. The bus delivering the presents made a stop at Becontree Primary School in Dagenham on Wednesday. Pupils there did not know a surprise was waiting for them, said head teacher Marie Ziane."
More than 100 volunteers gathered in an east London community hall to wrap thousands of donated Christmas presents for children across the capital. The Kindness Offensive, a charity that redistributes goods to schools, food banks and community groups, coordinated the gift drive aimed at children from families facing hardship. Donations were wrapped and loaded onto a red bus for delivery to schools and community centres. Child poverty in Barking and Dagenham affects around four in ten children under 16, increasing pressure on parents during the holiday period. The gifts aimed to provide joy, hope and material relief to children who might otherwise go without.
Read at www.bbc.com
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