Peterborough-based charity Embrace Child Victims of Crime (CVoC) has launched its Dear Santa 2021 campaign to help provide presents to children facing terrible trauma because of crimes that have happened to them or they have witnessed.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of its supporters, the charity provided 1,132 gifts for children harmed by crime.

Each child who is referred to Dear Santa 2021 is asked to choose a gift worth up to £35. All of these gifts are made available on Embrace CVOC’s website for the public to buy. Embrace’s elves make sure the presents are wrapped and sent to the child who wished for them ready to open on Christmas Day.

Embrace CVoC supports children and their families who have been harmed by all kinds of crime. Some are grieving because their mum, dad, brother, sister or other family member has been unlawfully killed. Some have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse or have been traumatised by domestic abuse. Police, social services and other safeguarding professionals refer them to Embrace for support.

Chief executive of Embrace Child Victims of Crime Anne Campbell said:

Many families we support are suffering real hardship. Some of the children have never had a Christmas present before. Dear Santa gives us all a chance to sprinkle some Christmas magic. When you buy a gift you will be giving these children a reason to smile on Christmas Day.

To buy a gift for a child visit embracecvoc.org.uk/dear-santa-2021.