THE local Frome Selwood and Frome Town Rotary clubs have teamed up with national children’s charity, KidsOut, to provide Christmas presents to survivors of domestic violence.
They report, “Children who are living in refuges across the whole country will receive a box of brand-new toys and games to enjoy over the upcoming festive period. So far, the national total of boxes being packed is 4,500 and rising, as more funds are donated by Rotarians.
“Christmas is always tough for families in refuges, with this year set to be harder than usual because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most children arrive at refuge with only the clothes on their back, restricted to a single room with their mother and siblings. Mothers struggle to provide basic essentials, let alone toys for their children at Christmas.
“The local Kids Out day at Longleat had to be cancelled this year due to Covid. Normally over 1,000 children from Frome and the surrounding area are treated to a day out at Longleat Safari Park and attractions. They are provided with a packed lunch, and entertainers, clowns, etc. are laid on for the day.
“Some of the money not used this year has been put towards Every Refuge, Every Child project, whilst some has been retained for future Longleat events – hopefully in 2021. In addition, Rotary clubs in Frome have made additional donations. As part of Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland, Frome Town and Frome Selwood Rotary clubs are part of a nationwide campaign to provide a Rotary Christmas Toy Box to ‘Every Refuge, Every Child’.
“Thanks to local fundraising efforts, Frome Town and Frome Selwood Rotary clubs will be funding boxes of brand-new toys to help support children’s mental health and make the world a little kinder. Each box will contain over £80 worth of gender/age appropriate toys designed to promote social and educational development and family bonding. The boxes will be packed by KidsOut and distributed straight to the refuge for mothers to give to their children in time for Christmas.”
Sandra Doherty, head of children’s services at KidsOut said, “We are so excited to be teaming up with the Frome Selwood and Frome Town Rotary clubs for our brand-new Rotary Christmas Toy Box initiative. The children we support often have very few possessions of their own and these toys will provide comfort, happiness, and Christmas joy in difficult times.”
The Rotary Christmas Toy Box project is taking place with local groups all over the UK. KidsOut aims to ensure that every child in refuge receives a box of brand-new toys this festive season. Members of the public are invited to help with this and take part in KidsOut’s Giving Tree, the charity’s annual Christmas toy appeal. For more information, please visit www.kidsout.org.uk.
About KidsOut national charity
KidsOut provides positive opportunities and experiences to bring smiles to disadvantaged children and enhance their wellbeing and outlook.
Established in 1999, KidsOut has a small team of staff while utilising thousands of volunteers around the UK to achieve our core mission: to bring fun and happiness to those children who need it most. Based in Bedfordshire, KidsOut provides its services all over the UK to over 60,000 children a year, mainly through the provision of Fun Days out and Toy Boxes for children in refuge. KidsOut supports children from a range of backgrounds, focusing on the needs of children in refuge and works with every Women’s Aid Federation refuge in the UK.
