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 The saying ‘mighty oaks from little acorns grow’ is incredibly fitting for The Christmas Giving Tree, a hospital-based initiative providing gifts for thousands of local families in need.

The appeal – which is part of North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity - celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year and has grown into a hugely popular and well supported good cause from relatively humble beginnings.

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust Site Senior Manager Natalie Styles-Hudson launched The Christmas Giving Tree in 2015, on the back of a chance meeting with a community colleague working with vulnerable families. 

Natalie said: “I saw true poverty that day – a five-year-old girl not wearing a coat in the cold weather, and her trainer tops cut off as she had grown out of them. I knew I had to do something to try and help and that is when the idea for the Giving Tree began.”

The appeal started at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon in 2015, with 50 presents being donated and delivered to families, children and young people who are less advantaged.

Over the years, it has snowballed and attracted huge support from Trust staff, patients, members of the public, community groups and local businesses. 

Last year was the most successful to date – with over 6,000 gifts donated across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.

Natalie estimates that over the past 10 years, around 10,000 presents will have been delivered to children and families and helped to make their Christmas a little happier. 

As the 2025 appeal launches this month, Natalie and an army of helpers are gearing up for a busy festive season.

Natalie – who this summer was shortlisted for a Trust Outstanding Achievement Award for her dedication to The Giving Tree project - said: “It has been an incredible 10 years and the generosity from so many people has truly been overwhelming. 

“The appeal has grown from very humble beginnings into much anticipated event. This year the need is greater than ever because times are incredibly hard for some. 

“The team will deliver gifts to less advantaged children and young people in schools, hostels, and domestic abuse refuges across Peterborough, Huntingdon, and Fenland. By participating, you can help brighten Christmas for young people facing challenging circumstances."

Here is how you can support the appeal and help bring some Christmas magic to hundreds of local children:

·       Giving Trees: These will be set up in the main hospital entrances at Peterborough, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford & Rutland in the coming weeks. There will be gift tags for people to choose from – selecting a child’s names and ages. Simply take a tag, purchase a gift, and bring the gifts back to the reception desks.       

·       Amazon wish list: If you can’t visit a tree, you can still help by purchasing a gift online through the Amazon wish list – a new list for 2025 will be available from mid-November.

·       Monetary donations: Donations are also welcomed and will be used to purchase gifts for those in need Donate Giving Tree money here (enthuse.com) 

The Christmas Giving Tree Appeal is a Fund within the North West Anglia Hospitals' Charity (Registration No 1050601)

Keep an eye on the Trust’s social media platforms to keep up to date with the campaign and to donate.    

 

Pic cap: The Christmas Giving Tree Appeal is celebrating its 10^th year – pictured are Site Senior Manager, Natalie Styles-Hudson and Deputy Service Manager, Sharron Carey, joint organisers of the venture — and some of the thousands of gifts donated by hospital colleagues last year.