24th December 2015
Dear Penny and everyone at ENL Legal,
I would like to sincerely thank you all for taking part in the 2015 KidsOut Giving Tree appeal. The response has been fantastic and we have been overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity. The appeal has been our largest to date, with over 140 companies involved resulting in thousands of high quality toys being donated.
Every one of these gifts will go to a child who has fled domestic violence and sought sanctuary in a Women’s Aid refuge. Over 50% of these children have personally suffered serious abuse, and many of them have fled with little but the clothes on their back. The toys that you have kindly donated may therefore be the only present that they receive this Christmas time, and will bring some much needed fun and happiness into their lives.
Already this Christmas, KidsOut have sent 1,500 such toys directly to refuges across the UK, and another 4,800 toys have been given out to disadvantaged children attending Christmas parties. The remaining toys will be sent to children who enter refuge just after Christmas. This is the busiest period for refuges, with many mothers waiting to leave their abusive partner until after Christmas. Often these children have had any presents taken away from them by the abuser, and so your toys bring some comfort during what is a very difficult time.
Once again, thank you for your support; it is making a real difference to disadvantaged children’s lives.
Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.
Yours sincerely,
Gordon Moulds CBE
Chief Executive
KidsOut