Help us wrap up Christmas for those in need

West Berkshire Council's annual Giving Tree campaign to support victims of domestic abuse and their families over Christmas is now open for donations.

The Council run the Giving Tree annually as part of the worldwide White Ribbon Campaign which aims to eliminate violence against women and children.

We've teamed up with local domestic abuse services to bring Christmas to those in need. It's a time for giving and through our Giving Tree, you can bring some Christmas spirit to a gift to a child or adult who has been affected by domestic abuse.

Councillor Heather Codling, West Berkshire's Executive Member for Children and Family Services says,

"We never fail to be touched by the generosity of people in West Berkshire. Year on year, the number of gifts grow, but sadly so does the number of those in need.

 "People often have to leave everything behind when going into a Refuge to protect themselves and their families - children may have to leave their toys behind as well as their friends and family. The gifts they receive through the Giving Tree gives families something positive at a time of great stress and upheaval.

"It's easy to take part in this act of kindness which will often be the only gift someone will receive this year."

Alix Simpson, Chief Executive of Berkshire Women's Aid said, 

"The joy that each and every present will be bringing this Christmas to victims of domestic abuse across West Berkshire cannot possibly be put into words.

"Each year local people go above and beyond anything we could have anticipated giving gift bags filled with clothes, toys and a variety of vouchers for the cinema, hairdressers, restaurants and other stores. This has brought such happiness and hope to those who need it, so please take part in the Giving Tree."

You can get involved in the gift of giving online or in person and all labels will contain anonymised information on the person you will be buying for, for example 'Girl aged 3-4' or 'Female Adult'.

In person, you can select a label from our libraries in Newbury and Theale, or at the Council Offices in Market Street, Newbury. You can buy a corresponding gift and drop it back to where the label was collected, or at one of our other locations if easier. Please note: You will also need to include a gift bag for your present.

The Giving Tree will be live from 4 November to 6 December. 

Find out more and make your gift selection here https://www.westberks.gov.uk/giving-tree