Hundreds of gifts pour in for our Christmas Giving Appeal

 

We’ve had a terrific response to our appeal for presents to give to vulnerable children who may otherwise receive little or nothing.

We asked you to add a small gift to your Christmas shopping list to donate to our Christmas Giving Appeal for us to pass on to those who will benefit the most.

And you’ve done Essex proud – we’ve already received more than 5,000 gifts – but we can always find homes for more, particularly in the 13-17 age group.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.
“Our community policing teams are working with partners in Adult Social Care and local councils, housing associations and voluntary organisations, such as Scout groups, in every district to ensure your gifts are wrapped and delivered to the most vulnerable children in our communities so they can enjoy a bit of Christmas cheer.”
Chief Inspector Steve Scott-Haynes

Appeals are still open in some districts – see details below. You can buy gifts online. If you visit a police station to drop off an unwrapped present, please remember to follow the latest Government COVID-19 guidance.

Meanwhile, in Clacton, local police community support officer Matt Ladkin has organised a Christmas Carol Concert with Father Justin Hutcherson and St James’ Church choir by the Christmas tree outside the town’s police station on Thursday 16 December between 7pm and 9pm.

 

“I remember going to school Christmas carol concerts with my parents and I loved the festive, community feel.
“I love working in this community but it’s been a horrible couple of years for us all, so we thought a carol service would be a nice way of getting the community back together, including the homeless and other vulnerable people.
“Everyone is invited to come along and sing carols around our tree. We’ll have packed lunch bags donated by local businesses to give out to those who need them and there will be plenty of tea and coffee for all.”
PCSO Matt Ladkin

Here’s how you can help

For details of your district’s Christmas activities, check out the list below and click on the link to visit their Facebook page or other weblink which will have details of what they are doing, plus their deadline.

You can order online and get your present delivered straight to your local police officers or you can buy one and deliver it to one of our police stations. Remember, it must be unwrapped and suitable for a child from newborn up to the age of 17. Unfortunately, we cannot accept second-hand presents.

Basildon          www.facebook.com/EPBasildon
                        Basildon Police Station SS14 1EJ – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week

Braintree         www.facebook.com/EPBraintree  
                         Braintree Police Station CM7 3DJ – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week

Brentwood      www.facebook.com/EPBrentwood 
                         Brentwood Town Hall CM15 8AY – open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Castle Point     www.facebook.com/EPCastlePoint

Chelmsford      www.facebook.com/EPChelmsford       
                          Chelmsford Police Station CM1 1NF

Colchester        www.facebook.com/EPColchester 
                          Colchester Police Station CO3 3BU – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week

Epping Forest   www.wonderful.org/fundraisers/302
                          Epping Civic Offices CM16 4BZ – open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

                          To keep up to date with our activity in the Epping Forest District, visit               
                          www.facebook.com/EPEppingForest

Harlow              www.facebook.com/EPHarlow 
                          Harlow Police Station CM20 1HG – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week

Maldon             www.facebook.com/EPMaldon

Rochford          www.facebook.com/EPRochford

Southend          www.facebook.com/EPSouthend 
                          Southend Police Station SS2 6ES – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week

Tendring           www.facebook.com/EPTendring 
                          Clacton Police Station CO15 1ET – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week

Thurrock           www.thurrock.gov.uk/giveagift 

                          To keep up to date with our activity in Thurrock, visit
                          www.facebook.com/EPThurrock

Uttlesford          www.facebook.com/EPUttlesford

                           This year, Uttlesford officers are running their annual Christmas lights
                           competition

 

Keep updated

As well as checking out your local Essex Police district facebook page, you can also get regular updates about the work our officers and staff do, day in and day out across Essex, to help people, keep you safe and catch criminals, by signing up to receive our weekly newsletter.