Double your donation until 3 Dec

Nationwide Building Society is matching donations up to a total of £100,000

Menu
Donate

What is Secret Santa & why is it important?

Photo of Kelly Corcoran outside
Kelly Corcoran - Digital Communications Officer
Friday 01 November 2024
Secret Santa Christmas TV ad Festive mantlepiece with Christmas cards showing ilutrations of three happy children

Christmas is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing... our Secret Santa Christmas appeal is back!

Be a Secret Santa

Donate and you could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas. 

Donate now

What is Secret Santa?

Secret Santa is Action for Children’s Christmas appeal. Each year, we ask people to become a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child. Because for vulnerable children across the UK, Christmas is anything but magical. No stockings. No presents. No festive food - maybe no food at all. Their first memories of Christmas could be going to bed hungry, being too cold to sleep, and losing all hope when Santa doesn’t come.

But your gift could change this. You could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas.

How can I take part?

It’s easy. You can become a Secret Santa by donating directly to our appeal via our website. Visit iamsanta.org.uk.

Double your donations

For a limited time only, Nationwide is doubling your donations - meaning you can spread the magic twice as far.

Between 19 November – 3 December, Nationwide will match your donations up to a total of £100,000, meaning every £1 you donate will be worth £2.

Donate today and double your impact.

*T&Cs apply. Read here.

Why should I give my money to Secret Santa?

The magic of Christmas begins in childhood. Hanging stockings. Sharing festive food. Presents under the tree. It’s a time for children to feel loved and make memories that last a lifetime.

But for vulnerable children across the UK, Christmas is anything but magical.

By donating to our appeal and becoming a Secret Santa, you could give a vulnerable child the essentials of warm clothes, a hot meal, or a special present just for them. You could help them feel the magic of Christmas.

And for every £1 Action for Children spend, 85p helps children and families.

Young boy wearing coat and gloves outside

What's urgent about giving the money now?

4.3 million UK children now live in poverty. That’s almost 1 in 3 children. It’s the worst number ever recorded, with 100,000 more children in poverty last year than the year before. More children are suffering. More families are at breaking point.

It’s easy to think that poverty happens elsewhere. But it’s affecting children in your community. For many, Christmas is just another day of empty cupboards and putting on an extra jumper to keep warm. And wondering why their friend got presents and they didn’t.

At Action for Children, we have thousands of frontline workers supporting children every day.

We’ve seen children without a bed sleeping on the floor with just blankets. Families phoning us crying because they have no money to feed their children. It’s relentless. And it doesn’t stop because it’s Christmas.

Childhood is short. There isn’t long to make happy memories. That’s why we need your support now.

Be a Secret Santa

Donate and you could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas. 

Donate now
Mother with daughter in pyjamas

How has Secret Santa helped children and families in the past?

Last year, your generous support helped us be there for over 687,755 children, young people and families in the UK, through 372 services.

Vulnerable children and families are given hope and support, because of amazing people like you.

If you’re able to become a Secret Santa, you could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas.

Be a Secret Santa

Donate and you could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas. 

Donate now

References: National statistics; Households Below Average Income: an analysis of the UK income distribution: FYE 1995 to FYE 2022. Published 23 March 2023.

Be a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child

Donate now