Following a 20% rise in applications from schools for emergency winter support, we have now completed the first phase of our ‘Warm, Dry and Ready to Learn’ campaign – ensuring vulnerable children received warm coats, shoes, bedding, and toiletries in time for the coldest months.
Poverty is now one of the biggest barriers to education in Yorkshire, directly linked to the region’s record rates of school absence. Last year, 80% of schools supported through this campaign reported an increase in attendance, and we’re already receiving amazing feedback from teachers and parents about the difference this support makes.
One parent said:
“This has taken stress away from worrying about how to find the money for winter. Everything is so expensive. I can’t say thank you enough”
A huge thank you to all of our volunteers who have made this campaign possible so far – from picking & packing in the warehouse, to volunteering your time (and vehicles!) to ensure these deliveries make it to schools – we are incredibly grateful to each and every person who has got involved.
We still need your help!
To date, 2,373 children have been identified by schools as in critical need. This first phase has ensured children received the essentials they need to stay warm, dry, and ready to learn this winter.
However, we still have a long way to go to bridge our £114,000 funding shortfall.
Founder Charlotte Farrington comments:
“We’re incredibly proud that, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’ve been able to deliver the essentials so many children desperately needed. But the reality is, this crisis isn’t going away. Families across Yorkshire are still being forced to make impossible choices between heating their homes, buying a pair of shoes for their child, or putting food on the table. These choices only get harder as we approach Christmas”
Phase two: ‘Going the Extra Mile’
The next stage of the campaign will focus on delivering thousands of festive gifts to children who would otherwise wake up to nothing on Christmas morning – bringing hope and joy to families facing their toughest winter yet.
Parents are given the chance to choose and wrap the gifts, helping them feel part of their child’s happiness and preserving their dignity. Teachers play a key role by referring children in need, often delivering the gifts themselves to parents, which helps build trust, strengthen relationships, and identify any additional support families may require.
This phase is about far more than presents – it’s about care, safeguarding, and restoring a sense of joy at Christmas.
100% of donations made to our winter campaign go directly towards making life that little bit brighter to children who need it the most: https://form.typeform.com/to/mugdgLHr?
