CHRISTMAS is a time for giving and Essex Police wants to brighten Christmas for vulnerable children who may otherwise receive little or nothing.
A spokesperson said: “And we are appealing to our communities to help us make this happen by donating small gifts which we can pass on to those who will benefit the most.
Whether you want to shop online and send in your gift or bring an unwrapped present to one of our police stations, we hope we’ve made it easy for you to take part.
Last year we received more than 12,000 presents in just over a fortnight.
Chief Inspector Stephen Scott-Haynes says: “We were amazed but not surprised by the generosity of our communities. Our colleagues in Children Social Care and other local organisations helped us to select our most vulnerable children and, together, we co-ordinated delivery before Christmas.
“We will be taking donations at our police stations between 9am and 5pm if you want to deliver in person but some of our districts have also created ‘wish lists’ if you prefer to shop online.
“The past 20 months have been tough for everyone but we won’t be deterred from giving children, who would otherwise have nothing, a gift at Christmas.”
This year we are again working with partners in each district to identify those children who will most benefit from your generosity on Christmas Day.
Here’s how you can help
Buy your gift and deliver it to one of our police stations. Remember it must be unwrapped and suitable for a child from newborn up to the age of 17.
If you want to donate wrapping paper for our officers and staff to wrap your present, that would be welcome, too.
Or you can order online and get your present delivered straight to your local police officers.
For details of your district’s Christmas activities, check out the list below and click on the link to visit their Facebook page or other weblink which will have details of what they are doing, plus their deadline.
Basildon www.facebook.com/EPBasildon
Basildon Police Station SS14 1EJ – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week
Braintree www.facebook.com/EPBraintree
Braintree Police Station CM7 3DJ – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week
Brentwood www.facebook.com/EPBrentwood
Brentwood Town Hall CM15 8AY – open 9am to 5pm Monday to FridayCastle Point www.facebook.com/EPCastlePoint
Chelmsford www.facebook.com/EPChelmsford
Chelmsford Police Station CM1 1NF
Colchester www.facebook.com/EPColchester
Colchester Police Station CO3 3BU – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week
Epping Forest www.wonderful.org/fundraisers/302
Epping Civic Offices CM16 4BZ – open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
To keep up to date with our activity in the Epping Forest District, visit wwww.facebook.com/EPEppingForest
Harlow www.facebook.com/EPHarlow
Harlow Police Station CM20 1HG – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week
Maldon www.facebook.com/EPMaldon
Rochford www.facebook.com/EPRochford
Southend www.facebook.com/EPSouthend
Southend Police Station SS2 6ES – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week
Tendring www.facebook.com/EPTendring
Clacton Police Station CO15 1ET – open 9am to 5pm seven days a week
Thurrock https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/giveagift
To keep up to date with our activity in Thurrock, visit wwww.facebook.com/EPThurrock
Uttlesford www.facebook.com/EPUttlesford
