Met Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is asking Londoners to donate a small gift to one of a thousand children who will spend this Christmas in care.
Anyone wishing to donate to the force’s Christmas appeal can collect a tagged ribbon Scotland Yard’s Christmas tree or online at: www.met.police.uk/christmas-tree-appeal/. Once they have a tag they’ll be allocated a specific child to buy a gift for.
All recipients are in foster or residential care homes across the London boroughs of Lambeth, Westminster, Southwark, Camden and Hammersmith and Fulham.
Gifts should cost no more than £20 and will be delivered to the children at their care homes before Christmas day.
Sir Bernard was inspired to launch the appeal after seeing a similar scheme in Sheffield 30 years ago, when he was a PC on the beat.
Speaking on Thursday, the Commissioner said: “This is a simple idea in the spirit of Christmas. A child in need can be helped by a simple gift from someone they have never met. That person gains no recognition other than knowing they have shown some care for a child that needs a little more love than most.
“I do hope people will feel able to support the Met Christmas Tree appeal.”