Margate Old Town shop owner Deb Ellis is collecting for her annual Christmas Eve box appeal.
The Madam Popoff store boss will be providing 25 boxes for struggling families in Thanet and is also throwing a Christmas party with Santa, DJ and children’s entertainer.
She is appealing for donations to make this year the most successful yet.
She said: “I am also holding a party for the second year running and need donations of table decorations and money towards food and entertainment and also for a present from Santa for the kids as it might be the only one they actually get this year.
“We have a Santa but still need an entertainer for this year and also help towards the Christmas eve boxes and transport.
“Thanet has the highest percentage of families living on the poverty line and I want to give 25 families the gift of a wonderful Christmas eve and also a gift for the parents to give their kids on Christmas morning from Santa.
“The Old Kent Market has been super generous in providing the venue and they have also built an amazing grotto with a Santa but need presents for him!
“The Christmas eve box has socks, hot chocolate, blankets, mugs, baby bibs, Christmas activity books ..in fact everything a family would love to make Christmas eve more magical.
“I need donations to buy the boxes and fill them. There’s an Amazon wish list and also a gofundme page.”
Deb is hoping for donations of 25 boxes of Quality Street, 25 boxes of mince pies, 25 Christmas story books, 25 Christmas themed bubble baths and hand washes and the same number of colouring pen packs, Yankee Candles, Christmas mugs for the adults and also sippy cups for small children.
There are two appeal links, one on GoFundMe with a £8000 target and a wish list on Amazon.
On her GoFundMe page Deb says: “To me, Christmas Eve has always been a little bit magical, and it’s not fair that some kids have to go without because of poverty, especially in this day and age! I want these families to have a lovely evening with new pyjamas for the kids, hot chocolate in Xmas Mugs, a nice Christmas smelling candle, Christmas Activity books and colouring in, reindeer food and as many treats that I can raise money for!
“I brought my son up alone, yet I was lucky I had a council place and didn’t have to worry about being homeless or that my son would go without presents but loads of families really are struggling.”
To find the Amazon wish list click here
Click here for the fundraising page
