Joy-filled smiles for families given the gift of Christmas in Wolverhampton
Around 60 Wolverhampton families in need have been presented with real Christmas trees so they can enjoy the festive season.
The thoughtful gift of trees and decorations was made by the Susan Vickers Foundation's Branches of Joy campaign which aims to give a helping hand to families who have been in the care system and offer them deliver hope and a feeling of togetherness. The items are funded by generous donors.
Trust founder Susan Vickers, who was adopted in Wolverhampton as a child, says: “Christmas can be especially tough for families with care experience. Our goal is to fill homes with joy, proving that they are cherished members of our community."
On Saturday Wolverhampton's mayor Councilor Craig Collingswood was on hand to greet the families who attended to meet Father Christmas, pick their special trees along with decorations and other treats.
He also picked his favourite decorated tree at the event held at 51Tempest Street in the city centre.
Susan explains: "Every year we gift Christmas gift real Christmas trees to care-experienced families. Children who have been being fostered, adopted and in kinship we give them a tree so that they can enjoy Christmas Day like everybody else.
"There is a lot of care-experienced people being taken out of their homes at this time of year and then they don't ever celebrate the festive season because of what happened to them.
"We them trees, all the decorations, toys and more.
"We have a little bit of a competition. They have 20 minutes to decorate the tree then the mayor chooses his favourite and the winner gets an extra toy. Then everyone gets to take their tree and all the decorations home.
"We will give away between 50-60 trees this year."
Families were encouraged to apply to the charity to be considered for the gift.
Last Christmas Branches of Joy gave away more than 48 trees to care-experienced families.
