Christmas Appeals 2020

Usually my office collects toys to donate to various charities. While we're not able to do this due to Covid-19, there are various charities and organisations you can support if you're in a position to do so.

Below are a few examples - please do let me know of any I've missed.

Edinburgh Food Social:

Many people in Edinburgh aren't in a position to provide a traditional Christmas dinner for their families this year. Edinburgh Food Social are going to ensure as many folk as possible have a happy Christmas by providing just that: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/edinburgh-food-social--community-christmas

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank:

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank provide new school uniforms throughout the year and the need continues at Christmas: https://edinburghuniform.org/donate-uniform/

Edinburgh Helping Hands

In 2020 Helping Hands Toys For Kids is going to look different as we all continue to endure Covid-19. But they will still be collecting Toys For Kids who need them. They are not taking money – all they want is Toys For Kids in need this Christmas: https://solidaritynotcharity.com/toys-for-kids-2/

Streetwork

Streetwork believe that everyone deserves a safe place to live and access to the support they need. Their #Givehope at Christmas campaign aims to do this by giving gifts on your behalf alongside the specific support that their service users need to end their experience of homelessness and help them recover from the harm it brings: https://simonscotland.org/GiveHope

Crisis

Crisis at Christmas provides safety, essential services and companionship for people experiencing homelessness each Christmas in Edinburgh: https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/donate-gifts-in-kind/christmas-wishlist-edinburgh/

Edinburgh Women’s Aid

Every year Edinburgh Women's Aid hosts a Christmas Appeal to ensure that women and children living in our refuges across the city have something to look forward to at Christmas. Usually they collect toys and gifts but are having to do things differently this year: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/EWAChristmasAppeal2020

Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity

They aim to make sure no child or young person in hospital misses out on any of the joy and wonder of the festive season: https://echcharity.org/christmas

Social Bite:

This year Social Bite will be again opening their stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen on Christmas Day to give Christmas dinner and loving company to homeless and vulnerable people: https://www.facebook.com/socialbitebusiness

Portobello Book Shop – Christmas Book Drive

You can find book requests from Street Reads and Home Start hanging from the Christmas tree in their shop or you can donate on their website – donations will be used to purchase books to give to each charity before Christmas: https://theportobellobookshop.com/christmas-book-drive/

Mission Christmas Cash for Kids

Forth Radio aim to deliver gifts to local children living in poverty: https://planetradio.co.uk/forth/charity/events/mission-christmas-edinburgh/

Edinburgh Food Project

https://edinburghfoodproject.org/

* The above groups or organisations is not an exhaustive list. Inclusion on this list does not mean they are endorsed by myself or my office. They are campaigns my office have been made aware of that constituents may be interested in. If you know of others that should be added you can contact my team on tommy.sheppard.mp@parliament.uk