Help us spread kindness this Christmas
Each year, 52 Lives helps to buy Christmas presents for more than 1000 people - and we'd like to do even more for Christmas 2023! The people we're helping have been nominated by our partner charities and schools - this means we can directly reach those who need kindness the most.
We have set up Amazon wishlists, so you can choose a gift and it will be sent directly to the organisations to give to the people who need them. Wherever possible - particularly for the children's gifts - we have chosen things that they have specifically asked their parents / carers for. We are also accepting financial donations, which we will use to buy gifts from high street stores and small businesses.
How to Buy a Gift
1. Choose someone to help from the list below.
2. Select a Gift from their Amazon wishlist.
3. Checkout ... when you checkout, choose the 'gift registry' address. This will mean your gift will be sent straight to the organisation. Please don't choose the 'gift wrap' option, but you can include a gift message if you wish.
4. Feel Good :) When we're kind, it doesn't just help the person we're kind to, it also improves our own physical and mental health!
Want to donate instead?
If you would rather give a financial donation, you can donate online or by text. We will use 100% of your donations to buy gifts.
Donate by text: Text 'Gifts' and the amount you wish to donate to 70450.
Can't afford a gift?
You can send a Christmas card or kind message for someone instead. You can post a Christmas card to: 52 Lives (Christmas), PO Box 3154, Reading, RG1 9AT.
Buying a gift on behalf of someone else?
Use our Christmas gift note to let them know you have bought a gift in their name - there's a printable and an email version.
Click here to email or download a gift note
Buy a Gift
If you are unsure how to buy from an Amazon wishlist, we have produced this handy guide! (Please note: If you can't add an item to your basket, try clicking on the item, and then adding it to your basket.)
Children relying on food banks in Manchester
Emmeline's Pantry is a food bank and support service, helping woman and children in need. They have seen a dramatic increase in people needing help and will be providing food for hundreds of families at Christmas. We would love to give all of them a Christmas present, along with their food parcels.
BUY A GIFT
People in immigration detention in Gatwick
Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group is a charity that provides support to asylum seekers and migrants being detained at Gatwick, and their families. It’s a scary and very lonely time for those being detained and often they only have the clothes they are wearing. We’d like to provide some warm essentials this Christmas for those being detained - socks, jumpers and tracksuit bottoms.
BUY A GIFT
Struggling families in Wales
The team at Home Start in Ceredigion work with vulnerable families who are living in poverty and who are affected by ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) such as living in a household affected by domestic violence, substance misuse or mental illness. In their words, they would love to be able to 'give these children a little bit of hope and happiness this Christmas.' We want to provide Christmas presents to the families they support.
BUY A GIFT
Women and children living in refuges in Scotland
Stirling & District Women’s Aid operates 13 refuges for women and children, and also supports families in need through their outreach services. They feel that gift cards would be the most helpful thing for the families at the moment, so we will be using your donations to buy gift cards, so they can choose their own food and presents.
MAKE A DONATION
Families living in poverty in Berkshire
First Days Children's Charity is working to reduce the effects of poverty on children by equipping them with essential items for their early years. In the lead up to Christmas, First Days runs a 'Christmas shop' for families in need, inviting parents/carers to come along and choose gifts for their children. The message we've shared here is from one of the families First Days is helping this Christmas
BUY A GIFT
Children living in poverty in Hanworth
St Richard's School is based on the edge of London and has a high number of children from deprived families. We will be aiming to provide the school with 90 gifts for children. The school will set up a free 'shop' with the gifts and invite parents in need to help to come and choose a gift for their child.
BUY A GIFT
Thanks to one of our corporate supporters, Eagle Eye, we will also be buying gifts for children living in refuges in Berkshire, and children being supported by The Cowshed charity in Wokingham.