Christmas Appeal
Help us fill 400 food hampers and provide a Christmas meal served with cheer and joy for vulnerable children and families.
The Camila Batmanghelidjh Foundation is seeking support to continue a tradition that has brought immeasurable joy and comfort to vulnerable children and families—Camila’s beloved Christmas Appeal.
For over 30 years, Camila made it her mission to ensure that every child we supported experienced the magic and warmth of Christmas. Through the kindness and generosity of people like you, Camila and her team brought more than just gifts and food to children and families in need; they brought a sense of belonging, love and hope.
Camila was acutely aware that for deprived families, Christmas is experienced with a huge sense of shame. Parents worry about not having enough money to buy the children presents, or indeed feed them. Benefit levels are too low and those working are subject to a volatile employment market and zero-hour contracts. This parent group, on the whole, have unsettled living circumstances, and also the prices of food and fuel have gone up. This leaves vulnerable parents struggling even more.
When kids go back to school in January, they are asked what presents they received for Christmas, those from deprived backgrounds often resort to lying in order not to be shamed. Older children in single-parent households hide feelings of hunger and need, for fear of putting pressure on an already struggling parent.
Hampers Filled With Love
In order to share joy this Christmas, we want to donate a big bag of food to families in need. This is especially important because over the Christmas period schools are closed and children will not be receiving school meals.
Our food bag for families is carefully crafted so that a family can provide themselves with two meals per day—in effect, 28 meals over the two-week Christmas break. Below is a list of foods we know families have really appreciate receiving. In addition, we will attempt to give children a game as well as art materials the whole household can enjoy.
Our first Christmas without Camila will be incredibly difficult, but together with Camila’s longstanding partners, Oasis and the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation (AWTF), as well as our dedicated volunteers, and the wider community we serve, we are determined to ensure we continue Camila’s Christmas tradition—we hope you are too!
Donate to Support the Camila’s Christmas
To support the appeal, you can make a donation via the JustGiving page of the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation, which also allows us to collect Gift Aid on your donation:
You can make a bank transfer to the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation with the reference “CB XMAS.”
Account Name: Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation
Bank: Coutts & Co. 440 The Strand, WC2R 0QS, London
Sort Code: 18-00-02
Account Number: 04338332
You can also send a cheque Payable to:
Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation, 70 Gladsmuir Road, N19 3JU, London
To donate gifts, toys, or food, please contact Ema Cavolli to arrange delivery. Her email is: ema [at] camilabatmanghelidjh.org.