Help Needy Children Through Your Local Police Station

Police 'Christmas Tree Project' appeal to spread cheer across the borough

One of the first Christmas trees to go up this year in Chiswick was the police station's 'Christmas Tree Project' to give children in care some presents this year.

The idea is that members of the public take a tag from the tree in their station and follow the instructions inside- or you can also visit the online virtual Met Christmas tree at www.met.police.uk/christmastree

The gifts will be for children aged from one week to 17 years and benefit those in care across all London boroughs.

This picture (on right) was tweeted by local Sgt Dave Turtle, to remind local people that the project is up and running.

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe launched the biggest charity event ever run by the Met earlier this month to ensure that thousands of children in care across the capital receive a special Christmas present this year.

The Met's 'Christmas Tree Project' is spreading its cheer across London, with trees being lit up by officers outside police stations and in other public places in all of London's 32 boroughs to ensure more children in need than ever have a present delivered to them in time for Christmas Day.

Londoners are encouraged to get behind the campaign and give a gift by taking a tagged ribbon from a tree on your borough or at New Scotland Yard, and following the instructions on the tag.
You can also visit the online virtual Met Christmas tree at www.met.police.uk/christmastree

Last year's campaign resulted in 6,840 gifts given to children across London.

The Commissioner got this year's campaign underway on 10th November, by switching on the Christmas tree lights outside New Scotland Yard with the help of special guest Daisy Harrison-Constantinides, aged 10 - winner of the Met's Christmas Tree Campaign poster design competition.

The Met received over 2,000 poster designs from children across London from which, Daisy's poster was chosen. Daisy, a pupil at Parsonage Farm Primary School in Havering, was joined by her parents at the event, which began with a performance by the children's choir from Westminster City School who sang carols to the crowd.

Met Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said:
"Christmas is a time for giving and who more worthy of receiving that generosity, then children in care who can find this season difficult. The MPS is grateful to all those who took part in last year's campaign to spread some Christmas cheer and we hope to do the same this year."

The gifts will be for children aged from one week to 17 years and benefit those in care across all London boroughs. The children are currently being cared for by foster parents or are in residential care homes. The suggested spend for gifts this year is no more than £20.

All gifts will be delivered to the children at their care homes before Christmas Day.

November 19, 2015