Families who’ve fled domestic abuse are often arriving with almost nothing—no belongings, no sense of stability, and very often a deep feeling of guilt or worry about how the upheaval is affecting their children.
Because of your kindness, we were able to deliver 5,636 children in Refuge (56,360 toys) Christmas Toy Boxes to every child living in a women’s refuge or safe house across the UK.
Toy Boxes bring joy and a sense of normality to children at Christmas, helping to ease the impact of trauma after fleeing abuse. They create positive memories and build emotional resilience during a difficult time.
For parents and carers, they relieve financial pressure and restore dignity by enabling them to give their children presents. Most importantly, they remind families they are not alone — that someone cares and believes in them.
Heartfelt words from those supported — a child, parents and a refuge worker.
“This is really all for me?”
“Being in refuge is hard on children. These gifts brought so much and helped my child feel remembered and cared for. I can’t thank you enough.”
“I was so worried about Christmas this year, but seeing my child’s face when they opened their gift was emotional for me. It meant they didn’t feel left out, and for a moment everything felt normal again.”
“We are so grateful for your support and for thinking of us and reminding our families in need that they are not forgotten”
Christmas Toy Boxes have a significant and meaningful impact on families who have fled domestic abuse, supporting both children’s wellbeing and parents’ emotional recovery at a critical time of year.
It tells a parent, “Your child deserves joy, even now,”
and it tells a child, “You’re safe, you’re seen, and good things can still happen.”
We are incredibly grateful to FedEx for their generous support in distributing our donations. Their commitment to community impact has played a vital role in ensuring items reach children and families safely and efficiently.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed — your generosity has made a truly meaningful difference to the children and families we support. Because of you, more children will experience moments of joy, comfort and care when they need it most.
