As the festive season approaches, AberNecessities, a dedicated children’s charity, is embarking on a heart-warming initiative to bring a touch of magic to the lives of local children in need.
With one in five children in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire living in poverty, the charity has launched its annual Christmas campaign to help ensure every child in the north-east can enjoy the magic of Christmas.
In 2022, AberNecessities witnessed a doubling of the support needed at Christmas compared to 2021, and this year, the charity anticipates a further surge in demand due to the cost-of-living crisis and its disproportionate impact on families, with AberNecessities aiming to deliver a record-breaking 3,000 packages.
The ‘Believe in Magic’ campaign aims to ensure that every child gets to experience the joy and magic of Christmas, regardless of their circumstances. AberNecessities achieves this by creating bespoke Christmas Eve Boxes containing brand new items such as cosy pyjamas, slipper socks, a festive activity, a Christmas story, a mug and hot chocolate, a few sweet treats, and a special something for Santa and his reindeer.
Founder Danielle Flecher-Horn, said:
“Christmas should be a magical time, filled with joy and wonder, but for some families living in poverty, it’s just another day in a long battle to provide the basics for their children in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, and another challenging winter.”
“We recognise that local families are constantly making sacrifices for the well-being of their children, and this often takes a toll on parents’ physical and mental health. This year, we expect an even greater need for support as the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact families in our community. Rising food and fuel costs have made day-to-day existence extremely challenging for everyone. However, for families living in poverty, the impact has been disproportionately severe, and they fear a bitterly cold winter ahead.”
During December, AberNecessities expects to support over 3,000 local children, and the charity is calling on corporate supporters and members of the public to help make this campaign a resounding success.
There are two primary ways to get involved:
Sponsorship: Corporate supporters and individuals can contribute by sponsoring the campaign, providing financial assistance to make the ‘Believe in Magic’ campaign possible.
Donations: Members of the community are encouraged to contribute by gifting items that will go into the Christmas Eve Boxes for local children. The AberNecessities Giving Tree tags will be available in offices and venues across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as well as on the Union Square Giving Tree over the festive period to facilitate gift donations. Monetary donations can be made at https://abernecessities.enthuse.com/cf/believe-in-magic.
“We believe that together, we can create a brighter and more magical festive season for these children,” added Danielle, “Every contribution, whether big or small, will make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children and their families.”
For more information about AberNecessities’ Christmas Believe in Magic Campaign, please visit www.abernecessities.co.uk.
