Secret Santa Call Out Brings Christmas Cheer To Local Families
Revive Healthy Living Centre in Chaddesden has launched its tenth annual Secret Santa campaign to match generous benefactors with some of the most under-privileged and vulnerable children in the city.
Last year more than 300 Secret Santa parcels were delivered to local children living in poverty, facing a terminal or life limiting illness, who have lost a parent or sibling who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse or are residing in care.
This year, Revive has seen an unprecedented number of nominations for support across Chaddesden, Derwent, Oakwood and Spondon due to the cost of living crisis and has had to disappoint some families who were hoping for support.
Under the Secret Santa initiative, individuals, group and businesses are asked to register their interest and then buy a specific gift requested by the individual child or young person. Alternatively, they can make a donation to go towards a gift.
These are then delivered to the family along with other support they need such as food or help with electricity and gas bills.
Revive trustee and Derby City councillor Martin Rawson explained: “Secret Santa has been really well supported by local businesses, organisations and individuals for the past ten years.
“This year we hope that even more people will come on board to ensure we can help more children and young people who would not otherwise experience the joy of Christmas due to circumstances beyond their control.
“Unfortunately, Christmas 2022 will bring even more issues for many families with the ongoing and worsening cost of living crisis.
“We therefore hope that even more people, groups and businesses will come board so that we can help children and young people who would not otherwise experience the joy of Christmas due to circumstances beyond their control.
“We work hard to identify the children most at need in our local communities and ask them what they want so that we can match them with what our army of Secret Santas are able to provide.
“First time recipients are always the priority as well as families of parents who have proved that they are doing all they can to change their circumstances such as attending our Job Club sessions at the Revive Centre.
“From previous experience, this is not just about the latest toys. We are often asked for basic necessities such as a new winter coat and, thanks to funding from other sources, we will be ensuring that all 300 of our children and young people will also receive just that.
“Others often ask for a computer to help their school or college work, football boots so they can keep fit or a bike so that they can do a paper round to earn some money.
“Whatever the request, it is good to know that children and young people are getting a gift that will not only put a smile on their faces but will make a positive difference to their lives at what should be a magical time of year for everyone.”
Among the people who came on board as a Secret Santa last year and has signed up again this year is grandmother and retired nurse practitioner Jean Castle.
She said: “When I heard about the Secret Santa appeal and heard some of the heartbreaking stories of families in dire circumstances, I sobbed and just knew I had to help in whatever way I could.
“I contacted Revive and then picked up a couple of tokens which highlighted what a child wanted for Christmas and went out to buy it.
“I have also encouraged friends and family to do the same and I think we bought about 50 gifts between us last year with some people clubbing together to buy more expensive items or making a donation to Revive. Everybody has been very kind and have given what they can.
“What I like about Secret Santa is that Revive make sure that it supports those families who really need it and are in circumstances beyond their control.
“I am Derby born and bred and I wanted to do something to support a local charity that helps local people.
“There will be many more families who will be struggling this Christmas with the cost of living crisis and particularly the energy bills soaring so I would appeal to everyone to do what they can – however small – and ensure that children don’t go without at what should be a special time of year.”
To find out more about being a Secret Santa this year, please email secretsanta@revivecentre.com or call 01332 288700.