The BIG Christmas Giveback is a national competition that recognises the people and organisations making a positive impact on local communities, with £1500 in Aberdeen Gift Cards as a possible prize.
An Aberdeen charity committed to ensuring children don’t go without at Christmas has been nominated in a national competition, The BIG Christmas Giveback, that seeks to shine a light on the people and organisations making a positive impact on local communities.
AberNecessities, which will run its Christmas ‘no child should go without believing in magic’ this year says demand for its support is continuing to rise, with 5000 children set to receive a bespoke Christmas Eve box, up from 3000 in 2024. The box includes cosy pyjamas and fluffy socks, a Christmas story, reindeer food, a Christmas mug and hot chocolate, a selection box and other festive treats. Some children will also receive a larger Santa present.
The charity, which turns 7 next year, also runs two other annual campaigns, ‘no child should go without sweet dreams’ focused on giving children a warm and safe place to sleep by gifting new beds and cosy treats in a ‘snug as a bug’ bundle, including bedding, pyjamas, a teddy and hot water bottle. Their ‘no child should go without a hero’ campaign gives children fleeing a domestic abuse situation a fresh start pack.
Pauline May, fundraising manager at AberNecessities, nominated the charity and said the impact of the cost of living has increased demand for their services.
“AberNecessities provides items we class as necessities to disadvantaged families with children from new-born to 18 across North-East Scotland. We gift essential items including clothing, both new and pre-loved, toys, games and books, formula milk, nappies, baby equipment like cots and prams, and this is all alongside our three annual campaigns.
“Christmas can be a very stressful time for families living in poverty, parents obviously want their children to experience it the same as their friends. Our Christmas campaign is hugely important because for many children, our Christmas Eve box is the only present they’ll get for Christmas. It means they get to experience the joy and excitement of Christmas and can go back to school and share happy memories.
“The cost of living is continuing and it affects those living in poverty disproportionately. We’re seeing a shift in the families reaching out for help, including families where one or both parents are working but they are still struggling, with some having to make a heart-breaking decision between heating and eating. It’s incredibly sad that we have to be here, but we’re glad we are here to support children that need us.
The person or organisation with the most nominations in the competition will win a £1000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Aberdeen Gift Card, with one person who nominated them winning a £500 gift card.
Shona Bryne, project manager at Aberdeen Inspired said: “AberNecessities provide an essential service for children in Aberdeen and beyond, ensuring they get to experience the things that many of us take for granted, like a safe place to sleep or a magical Christmas. If AberNecessities win this prize, they can help even more children to have positive memories of Christmas. It’s free to nominate at lovelocalwin.co.uk and I urge everyone reading this to take a moment to nominate AberNecessities or any other individual, charity or organisation they think deserves to win.”
The Aberdeen Gift Card is part of the award winning Town & City Gift Card concept from fintech Miconex. Over 20,000 local businesses are part of Miconex’s local gift card programs around the world with over £45m spent locally through the cards.
Colin Munro, CEO of Miconex, said: “Since its launch, the Aberdeen Gift Card has gone from strength to strength, consistently giving back to the community and the 330 businesses who now accept the card. The BIG Christmas Giveback is also about giving back, and shining a light on local hero individuals, charities and organisations. The nomination for AberNecessities is an ideal example of a charity going above and beyond to make a real difference in our communities.”
Nominate a person or organisation in The BIG Christmas Giveback at: lovelocalwin.co.uk