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Christmas has arrived early at our local hospitals – with supporters of The Giving Tree appeal donating dozens of presents in the first week of its official launch.

The appeal – which is part of North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity - celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year and supports families in need and less advantaged children and youngsters by providing them with Christmas gifts.

Donations from staff, hospitals visitors and local businesses have already been delivered, with supporters invited to take a tag from the trees currently in the main entrances of Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon. 

The appeal started at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in 2015, with 50 presents being donated and delivered.

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.

Founder of The Christmas Giving Tree initiative, Trust Site Senior Manager Natalie Styles-Hudson, 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. 

She 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’s what you need to know about The Christmas Giving Tree appeal 2025:

What is the Christmas Giving Tree and who does it help:  

The Christmas Giving Tree is a charitable initiative – supported by North West Anglia Hospitals’ Charity – to distribute gifts to less advantaged children & young people and families in need at Christmas across Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire. It has been running since 2015 and has donated around 10,000 gifts during that time.

 

How does it work?

Supporters are invited to choose a tag from one of the decorated Giving Trees at Peterborough, Hinchingbrooke and Stamford and buy or donate a new gift accordingly.

The trees are located in the hospital entrances at our three main sites – in situ from mid-November. Then simply return the unwrapped gift to one of our fabulous volunteers.

What is the process with the tags?

Each tag has the name and age of a child on it. Please note that these are for guidance only and you will not be buying a gift for that named child – so we would kindly please ask you not to go to the trouble and expense of making your gift personalised. This is also in the interests of protecting the identity of children who will be receiving the gifts.

However, if you wish to include a note (without adding the name from the tag) this is a lovely touch and is much appreciated by the recipient.

We would also ask that all gifts being donated are new.

You can drop your gift off at the any of our hospital main entrances, to be collected by our helpful army of volunteers, before Friday December 12.

The gift will be donated directly to a less advantaged family or child/ young person from a local school or hostel - wrapped and delivered in time for Christmas!

Can I choose more than one tag and buy than one gift?

You can choose as many tags and buy as many gifts as you would like. If you wanted to select a single tag and buy one or more gifts for that child and age, that’s fine – we will have numerous children in that bracket that will require a gift – even if they are duplicate gifts,

How can I shop savvy to make my gifting go further?

At this time of year, there are lots of deals on the High Street (Black Friday deals, Boots 3 for 2 offer and The Works 2 for £12 gifts and activities for example) as well as special offers on toys and books which can be used to boost your gifting. Lower priced items like sticker books and stationery are perfect stocking fillers to help your donations reach even more children. 

Do I need to wrap the gift?

No – you do not need to wrap the gift as we will organise a number of wrapping sessions but bringing it in a gift bag would be really helpful. We ask for gifts to be unwrapped to allow us to see the gift and to ensure that families receive the same value amount where possible – and that of course it is donated to the age-appropriate child.

Where possible, if the tag you have taken from the tree could be included loosely in the bag, this helps us to be sustainable in re-suing the tag.

During the wrapping event, gifts will be labelled and categorised to ensure they are delivered to the right child or young person.

Are there any other ways to support and donate?

Each year, The Christmas Giving Tree sets up an Amazon wish list for those who want to support the project but cannot get into our hospitals or prefer to shop and donate online.

Purchasing Amazon wish list is easy - simply click the link https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz / wishlist/ls/193OA9UM6XKG1?ref_=wl and follow the instructions or scan the QR code.

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

Who chooses where the gifts are delivered to?

The Christmas Giving Tree organisers and the North West Anglian Hospitals’ Charity team work very closely with community partners and groups, local schools, hostels and Trust staff to identify families and individuals who will benefit from gift donations. Every care is taken to ensure that our thousands of wonderful gifts are matched to the recipient. Thank you for your support and generosity. 

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

 

The Giving Trees are now in situ at Peterborough City Hospital and Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon. Supports can leave unwrapped gifts with Trust volunteers here and also at Stamford & Rutland Hospital.