A happier Christmas is on the cards for many of the district’s most vulnerable children and young people, thanks to staff from Folkestone & Hythe District Council.
Acts of kindness by the council
Hundreds of presents are being distributed to 236 youngsters aged from newborn to 18 as part of this year’s Wish Upon a Star appeal, which sees members of the council’s teams buy and wrap presents.
Gifts and vouchers were also donated by councillors, Kent Police and the Channel Rotary Club.
F&HDC runs the annual campaign as a tribute to former housing advice and preventions officer – and former Wish Upon a Star organiser – Nicola Baker, who died in November 2018.
The presents have been collected by Kent County Council’s Early Help, Youth Offending, Adolescent Support and Children’s Social Services teams. They are delivering the gifts to the youngsters in time for Christmas.
Thought by leaders
Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Some of the recipients won’t have anything else to open on Christmas Day – something not many of us can imagine.”
“I think this is the reason why there is always such a big response from staff and others to the appeal. It’s particularly heart-warming this year as I know everyone is feeling the pinch.”
Cllr Jenny Hollingsbee, Cabinet Member for Communities
Leader Cllr David Monk added: “Thanks to all those who donated gifts and also to everyone who – in their own time – sorted and distributed them.”
Final Thought
In the current times where the cost-of-living crisis is compounded by citizen dissatisfaction across socioeconomic domains of education, healthcare, and employment, such acts of kindness by councils go a long way in making vulnerable communities, especially children within these communities, feel included and seen in an economy that has largely marginalised them.