Children to receive donated presents

THOUSANDS of disadvantaged children will receive a gift this Christmas thanks to an initiative aimed at bringing festive cheer to the children.

While many children will wake up to a mountain of toys on December 25 others might get nothing at all, child welfare groups have warned.

But Allied Irish Bank and Barnardos predict that more than 5,000 children will have a happy Christmas morning if people donate a gift during the next three weeks.

Families are being urged to leave a present under the Christmas tree at Santa’s Kingdom at Punchestown racecourse in Kildare. Already close to 200 gifts were left at the tree.

“We are delighted with the response so far. It’s very easy to contribute, just bring gifts, new or old, and leave them at the AIB Better Ireland Christmas Tree,” Barnardos manager Colette Miller said.

Anyone not travelling to Santa’s Kingdom who still wants to donate a gift can do so by handing it into the Barnardos’ centres, in Limerick, Cork, Ballyfermot, Tallaght, Blanchardstown, Dun Laoghaire, Edenderry, Tullamore and Thurles.

“We want everyone who is going to Santa’s Kingdom to know about this tree. People can leave presents there up until Christmas Eve,” a Barnardos’ spokesperson said.

If an excess number of presents is collected, then the money will be used to support several other initiatives run by the charity.

Barnardos is the country’s leading children’s charity and works in 14 counties to help them reach their potential.

AIB funds 12 Barnardos’ projects here including breakfast and after-school clubs, and parenting and self-esteem programmes.