Embrace Child Victims of Crime (CvoC) is joining forces with the Metropolitan Police to make Christmas wishes come true for hundreds of children and families affected by crime in London.

Embrace has been selected as the Met’s chosen charity partner for its popular Christmas Tree Appeal which funds gifts for thousands of children in need across the capital.

The appeal ensures thousands of children in need across the capital will receive a gift this Christmas with trees lit up outside police stations and in other public places in all 32 boroughs encouraging people to donate. 

This year any additional funds will be used to support Embraces’s own seasonal campaign, Dear Santa, which funds gifts of choice for child victims of crime, together with supermarket vouchers so the whole family can enjoy Christmas together. 

Head of Crime Prevention Inclusion and Engagement Commander Mark McEwan said: “The Christmas Tree appeal has been running for 4 years. It is a worthwhile appeal and I am delighted to be working with the charity Embrace”

The Christmas Tree appeal was launched at New Scotland Yard on Wednesday November 7 by Commissioner Cressida Dick.

Embrace Chief Executive Anne Campbell said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the Met’s charity partner for its Christmas appeal which means we will be able to help and support even more children and families this Christmas.

“100% of any funding we receive will be used to help young victims of crime in London directly and help put a smile on the face of young people who have suffered the life-changing effects of serious crime.”

Londoners are encouraged to get behind the campaign and give a gift by taking a tagged ribbon from a tree on their borough or at New Scotland Yard and following the instructions on the tag. 

The public can also donate online at www.met.police.uk/christmastree. .The suggested spend for gifts this year is no more than £20.

The gifts that were bought by the public in last year’s appeal, as well as monetary donations, enabled 19,000 gifts to be delivered to children across London. The children are currently being cared for by foster parents, in residential care homes, in refuges, in hospitals, or are children from low-income families. 

All gifts, including those purchased as part of the Embrace Dear Santa appeal, will be delivered to the children before Christmas Day.