Local charity, the Kingston Charitable Foundation is hoping to make Christmas wishes come true for hundreds of local people in need this year.

The Foundation is launching its Kingston Christmas Wishes appeal on Giving Tuesday (28 November) to increase the number of grants available to support local charities and volunteer organisations, and for individuals who need a helping hand during tough times.

Kingston Charitable Foundation CEO, Hicky Kingsbury says: "Christmas is usually a magical time for children. Yet the 5,733 children in Kingston* who live in poverty will be expecting another bleak mid-winter. With your generosity, together we can make a profound difference to people who need our help most, and create a future filled with hope and care for our community in Kingston."

Grants provided by the Foundation last year to address inequalities in Kingston upon Thames, helped over 25,000 individuals grappling with mental health issues, food poverty, hardship, advocacy and other challenges.

The Foundation is inviting residents and businesses to donate to the appeal during Giving Week (Tuesday 28 November – Tuesday 5 December), to help people in need to have a brighter new year. Thanks to a very generous pledge from the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust to match fund donations, every penny donated during Giving Week will be doubled. UK taxpayers can also add Gift Aid to further boost donations by an additional 25%. Donations can be made here: https://localgiving.org/appeal/kingston-christmas-wishes/

Thanks to a very generous £3000 pledge from the Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust to match fund donations, every penny donated during Giving Week (Tuesday 28 November to Tuesday 5 December) will be doubled. UK taxpayers can also add Gift Aid to further boost donations by an additional 25%.

Your donation could fund:

£5 - Some toasty gloves for a vulnerable adult

£10 - A Christmas present for an elderly isolated person

£50 - A warm winter coat and shoes for a child in need

£100 - A bicycle for a refugee

The Foundation's last Impact Report provides a window through which to view everything that the charity has achieved for the local community over the past year, and demonstrates how funding from Place Based Giving schemes, such as Kingston Charitable Foundation, can enrich the lives and wellbeing of so many.

To make a donation click here or for more information about Kingston Charitable Foundation, visit www.kingstoncf.org.uk and Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram