The idea of the ‘Christmas Elves Appeal’ was to help children who needed “a bit of extra magic” by collecting toys, money and other gifts in our Skipton office.

And we’re delighted to reveal that the appeal helped as many as 166 children across 77 families in Skipton and the surrounding villages.

Through donations of money, gifts and other items, a total in the region of £6760 was raised, which all goes directly to the families in need of support.

Parents were able to request a specific gift up to the value of £20 for each child up to the age of 17, so that we could make sure that every child got something they really wanted.

That gift was then complemented with a selection box, a hand-knitted hat or scarf, books, games, toys, stationery, craft kits and accessories.

Acting as a drop-off point, we were able to collect gifts from donators and were delighted to support the appeal in any way we could.

And we have since had this feedback from some of the families we were collectively able to support:

“For the past 3 years, your team has saved us from having nothing to give our children at Christmas. So from the bottom of mine and my wife’s heart, thank you as it really was the only thing they got this year. My wife is on lifelong sickness and I am an unpaid carer, so have been really struggling this year with everything going on. But thanks to Hannah and her elf’s again you have come to the rescue, so I hope that this can keep going and keep helping families like mine. Your charity saved my children’s Christmas.”

Another family wrote:

“It’s the first year we’ve reached out for help with presents and I could have cried when my little one was opening his toys. They were all perfect and so thoughtful. I was amazed how tailored they were to my son’s favourite things. I only wrote a brief description! He’s dairy free and even got so much lovely chocolate to eat too which is amazing as free-from chocolate isn’t as cheap as regular chocolate and I really wasn’t expecting that. We received so much, I only expected one toy! I’m so grateful to everyone who donated and wrapped/delivered. You truly made our Christmas. Thank you so much!”

A third family said:

“To see the smile on my children’s faces was magical. We were truly overwhelmed with the amount of presents they all got as we were only expecting the one that we popped on the list for them. We couldn’t give our kids the best Christmas this year but this really helped us a lot and we are so grateful for it all.”

Another wrote:

“My son was delighted with the gifts that he received and I myself am close to tears at the generosity received. We had a wonderful day and I can’t thank you enough for the gifts and little touches.”

And a fifth family said:

“Thank you so much SSIA, the gifts we received really gave us a Christmas glow, the children were so excited and appreciated every present. They felt very special and the surprise made Christmas feel a happy time.”