Seeking Secret Santas

Christmas is right around the corner and for most of us, next week will be a precious opportunity to spend some quality time with our family and loved ones.

But for many of the children and families supported by our charity partner, Action for Children, Christmas Day can be the hardest day of the year.

Please remember that there are thousands of children across the UK who face a Christmas without a hot meal, presents, or even a safe place to sleep.

Sue Rogers, children’s services manager for Action for Children’s pioneering mental health initiative, the Blues Programme, said: ‘Christmas is not always a happy time for families, emotions can run high and people feel under stress to provide. We need to support children’s mental health resilience to enable them to cope in times like these and feel safe.

‘The Blues Programme will support more children to have a happier time this Christmas through the coping skills and positive thoughts they are now able to use in order to cope better with such times as Christmas.’

There is still time to be a part of Action for Children’s 2018 Secret Santa campaign. For as little as £10, you can become a Secret Santa yourself and help support a young person suffering from, or at risk of developing, mental health conditions.

Thank you to the 76 colleagues who have so far signed up to become a Secret Santa. You have raised around £2,000, including matched giving. To anyone thinking about following suit, remember, it’s not too late to sign up.

To be a hero and support a young person's mental health this Christmas, all you need to do is donate £10 in one of two ways:

• Text 'CHRISTMAS' to 70175
• or visit www.iamsanta.org.uk/royalmail.

You can also purchase Action for Children Christmas cards from the Royal Mail online store.