For every £1 we spend, 85p helps children and families.
Children across the UK need a Secret Santa like you
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. 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.
At Action for Children, we have over 2,500 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.
But we also see the difference you can make.
By donating 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.
Last year, incredible people like you helped us be there for 687,755 children, young people and families in the UK, through 372 services. Vulnerable children and families given hope and support, because of your amazing generosity.
Childhood is short. We don’t have long to make magical memories. That’s why we need your support now.
Donate to charity this Christmas and be a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child. You could help a vulnerable child feel the magic of Christmas.
For every £1 we spend, 85p helps children and families.
You can also gift a vulnerable child food, warmth, and love.
687,755
We helped 687,755 children and families in 2023/24
150 years
We’ve been helping children for more than 150 years
Can you help us reach £1 million?
Become a Secret Santa and add your star to our map
Donations
£727612
Secret Santas
21521
Your virtual gift is a donation that helps us support vulnerable children, young people and their families in the UK.
85p of every £1* we spend goes directly towards helping children, young people and their families. We make sure that every penny you donate goes where it will have the greatest impact on children’s lives. Donations from this campaign will be unrestricted and used by Action for Children for its general charitable purposes. That means they’re not spent on one project or one specific area of the UK, but where the need is greatest. Some of our unrestricted funding goes towards essential management and administration costs to make sure funding can reach the children and families who are most in need of support.
*Figure based on audited 2023/24 charity accounts that exclude subsidiary companies like commercial nurseries.
