PEOPLE and businesses are being urged to donate Christmas gifts to children with cancer as part of a campaign launched by a Coventry charity.
Shine a Light Support Service is appealing to city individuals and firms to provide presents for the youngsters who are going through a tough time.
The charity works with families of cancer patients aged between 0 and 24, providing a range of vital services, including home visits, counselling sessions, day trips and social events.
But due to restrictions put in place because of the global pandemic, in 2020 it has been unable to deliver the level of personal support it has become renowned for and its fund-raising efforts have also been hit.
Shine a Light founder and CEO Sam Schoolar said: “Normally at Christmas time we do an internal appeal among the business partners we’ve been working with throughout the year.
“We usually have plenty of donations to gift to our children and young people. I’m afraid that’s not going to happen this year.”
To make up for the disappointing year, this Christmas, Shine a Light is appealing for donations of Christmas gifts suitable for babies, small children and teens, each up to the value of £10.
And it has set a target of more than 100 presents.
Sam added: “We’re hoping to get together at least 100 gifts.
“Our young people and their families are going through so much right now.
“An unexpected gift under the tree on Christmas morning, no matter how small, can be a welcome distraction.
“It lets them know somebody is thinking about them.”
Anyone who can donate to Shine a Light’s 100 Gifts appeal can drop their wrapped or unwrapped gifts off at their family centre, located in the Koco Community Resource Centre, 15 The Arches Industrial Estate, Spon End, Coventry, CV1 3JQ or call Sam Schoolar on 07966 089805.