The Parish Church of St John-at-Hampstead

Church chat

CARIS Haringey Christmas Appeal

4/11/2020

CARIS Haringey supports over 100 vulnerable families, many of whom are living in temporary accomodation. Each year CARIS Haringey invites them to a Christmas party. There is food, games and lots of funs, and each child receives a gift from Father Christmas. Because of Covid the party won’t be possible this year. Tonya (in the photo) and the team at CARIS Haringey have been creative. They have ordered a large floor to ceiling Chrismas poster, which includes Father Christmas. Each family will be invited along and will be given a Family Christmas Pack and will have their photo taken with Father Christmas, which will then be WhatsApp’d to them.

CARIS Haringey have asked us to help them to make the Family Christmas Packs really special. Tonya has sent us a list of what they would like to include with some hints of where items might be bought.

  • Something to brighten their temporary accomodation e. g colourful throws, bedspreads, cushions or duvets. Primark, Ikea, Morrisons and Asda are all a good sources.
  • or Christmas accessories like Santa hats or stand alone decorations
  • or luxury body sets for mums (which you could make up)
  • or activity items like colouring books, pens, pencils etc
  • or new childrens books (because of covid they can’t accept second hand books)
  • or Ikea lap trays ( called Klipsk the trays you sponsored earlier in the year have been incredibly popular)

Last but not least – TOYS!

Tonya suggests –

  • Multicultural dolls
  • Wooden train sets
  • Super hero figures
  • Dolls head (to do hair)
  • Paw patrol sets
  • Peppa pig sets
  • Dinosaurs
  • Barbie’s

All can be purchased on Amazon or at Argos.

Another idea Tonya suggests is “purchasing some Multicultural puzzles from www.verypuzzled.com they have a beautiful range of puzzles. Many of our clients are from Nigeria, Ghana & Jamaica so a few of these would be amazing. I think each puzzle is about £10”.

Because of Covid all items need to be new and where possible wrapped especially toys and bedding.

Items to be donated can be left at the back of church of contact Sheena Ginnings [email protected] if you want to know more or to arrange delivery or collection.

We need to receive all items for the Family Christmas Packs by the end of November at the very latest.