The Mercury Shopping Centre has kicked off its yearly charity campaign The Giving Tree, which encourages shoppers to donate Christmas gifts for families supported by Havering Women’s Aid.
This year the appeal – which has been helping those in need in the borough for more than two decades – is also supporting King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity for the first time.
Recorder reporter Charlotte Anderson joined representatives from the charity, as well as leader of Havering Council Ray Morgon and The Mercury centre manager Natalie Bays at a launch event on Wednesday (November 26).
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At the event, Natalie said: “This year it’s going to be really, really hard for all of us to make sure we have a nice Christmas and even the smallest gift to one of these vulnerable people in Havering would make a world of difference.
“So if you have something to spare, even if it’s a gift that you no longer have to buy and you can replace with a gift to somebody in a refuge or in a hospital bed, we would truly appreciate it.”
Natalie added that this year, as the shopping centre is supporting two charities, it is hoping to reach out to as “as many people as possible to help”.
Donations for both charities should be of new, unopened gifts.
For Havering Women’s Aid, customers can check the charity’s Dream List webpage to find out what to donate – including luxury toiletries, reusable water bottles, scented candles and craft kits.
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The shopping centre will then put these into personalised gift boxes for every family living in the Havering Women’s Aid refuge to ensure they experience a little Christmas comfort while staying away from home.
King George and Queen’s Hospitals Charity is hoping for donations of children’s toys and gifts for all ages, as well as toiletries, for patients spending Christmas Day in hospital.
Recorder digital audience and content editor Michael Cox said: “It’s our pleasure to be supporting the Giving Tree appeal again this year.
“It is going towards two really important charities so please donate if you can.”
Gifts can be donated online via the Dream List website, or dropped off at The Mercury office or Lumiere Cinema until December 20.
