Turning wishes into reality this Christmas, Dear Santa captured the hearts of the nation.

Overwhelmed with the support received from the public helping to make a difference this Christmas, were delighted with the success of this year’s Christmas campaign ‘Dear Santa’ after reaching out to over 270 child victims this festive period.

For most children, the Christmas countdown is all about family, food and presents but this isn’t always the case for child victims or witnesses of crime. For them, Christmas can be lonely and heartbreaking- from losing loved ones through murder, being subjected to physical and mental abuse, unspeakable neglect, witnessing domestic abuse in their own homes and for low income families, Christmas can be a very difficult time.

We wanted to make it our job to make a difference, giving these children something to smile about come Christmas morning and showing them that someone cares by making their wish into reality. After brain storming and coming up with the idea of using a wish list via amazon, we then decided on the perfect name ‘Dear Santa’.

After launching the campaign early November, we asked specialist police officers and child protection professionals to nominate children to receive a gift of their choice, and, at the same time asked the public and our wonderful supporters to sponsor a child victim of crime to turn their wish into a reality.

We were overwhelmed with the responses received and the support for the campaign.

– ‘What a fantastic way to give back to these children.”
– ‘Purchase made, hope the spirit of Christmas prevails and all children you’re involved with receive their pressies.’
-‘A fantastic idea, very well organised. Hope all the wishes come true.’
– ‘It’s a lovely feeling knowing you are going to make a sad child happy at Christmas – priceless’

By mid December all wishes had been granted with the value of the gifts and the food vouchers reaching over £6,600. The Legal Week elves then got to work. Kindly volunteering their time to wrap and distribute all presents from their ‘Christmas Grotto’ at Cheapside, London.

Legal Week, our corporate supporters have been a hugely valued part of the team supporting our cause throughout the year, from volunteering their time to support Dear Santa, being their chosen charity at the British Legal Awards and entering a number of upcoming events such as the London marathon, Prudential Ride London, and Ride Across Britain. They have shown incredible support for our cause, thank you just isn’t enough.

We plan to repeat the ‘Dear Santa’ campaign next year and make it bigger and better by reaching out to more young victims of crime living in low-income households. We know from feedback that our presents meant that some children had presents who would not otherwise have done. Just some of the wonderful feedback received after Christmas-

“Sending a huge THANK YOU for the beautiful gift you have sent for my daughter. Organisations such as yours are a HUGE blessing for children who have suffered as a result of crimes that were committed”

“Well done to everyone who helped to make this happen. It means so much to these children who through no fault of there own have been victims of crime”

It’s heartwarming to know that together we can make to difference to the lives of child victims and witnesses of crime. Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Christmas campaign turning wishes into reality, we couldn’t of done it with out you.