The presents donated to the Metropolitan Police Service’s Christmas Tree Gift Appeal have been counted and an impressive 13,000 gifts have been delivered to children who otherwise may not have received one this festive season.

The charity campaign was launched last month by Met Commissioner Cressida Dick. The Commissioner was joined by the Met’s Christmas poster competition winner, 10-year-old Lavinia Zimarino from Sutton, to start the campaign, by turning on the Christmas tree lights outside the Met’s new HQ, New Scotland Yard on Victoria Embankment.

All the children from across London who entered the Met’s Christmas poster competition received certificates for their participation and also got a chance to meet police dogs and police horses at the launch event.

Londoners were encouraged to take a tag from one of the Christmas trees placed in 32 boroughs or get a virtual tag via the Met’s website. The tags held basic information including the age and gender of a child for whom they could buy a suitable gift, costing no more than £20.

The appeal resulted in 13,000 gifts being given to children across London. Additionally, over £18,700 via a fundraising website was donated by 597 supporters. These donations came from a mixture of individuals, groups and businesses from all over London. Donations were also made to various charities to help assist victims of crime, children in refuges and other children identified by local authorities. For example:

– Officers from Wandsworth delivered 1,100 presents, including 300 to the children’s ward at St George’s Hospital. Officers from the Wandsworth Community Safety Unit also ran a charity tuck shop selling chocolate to colleagues raising money for presents donated to a local refuge.
– Officers from Sutton, after giving presents to local looked after children, also gave over 100 presents to under privileged families in the borough.
– Officers from Kingston delivered 500 presents, including 125 presents to children with special needs.
– Officers in Havering delivered over 600 presents to children and also 50 hampers for the elderly.
– Officers in Southwark held a gift giving event with the cadets dressed as elves.

The Christmas Tree Project has been an annual event since 2012, spreading Christmas cheer across the Capital with trees being lit up outside police stations and in other public places in all 32 boroughs to ensure more children in need have a present to open in time for Christmas Day.

The gifts received were for children aged from one-week to 17 years old, and benefit those in need across all London boroughs. These children are currently being cared for by foster parents, in residential care homes, in refuges, in hospitals, or are children from low income families.

Commissioner Cressida Dick, said: “At this time of giving and festivities, we have the opportunity to spread a little joy and Christmas cheer to those children in need.

“Since our Christmas Tree appeal launched in 2012, we have seen a huge amount of generosity and goodwill of officers, staff and fellow Londoners, making sure we can deliver presents to children and young people who may not otherwise get a gift this Christmas.

“My warmest thanks go to all those who donated and the staff and volunteers involved in delivering the presents.”