A Wonderful Christmas…
With thanks to YLF supporters...
Christmas Wrapped Up
As we come to the end of 2023, it gives us great pleasure in knowing that our very generous and thoughtful community have spread joy by donating over 1,200 festive gifts! Wow!
The gifts have been sorted, wrapped and left the YLF grotto to be delivered to children, care leavers and families across Kent and Medway. In such hard times, support like this couldn’t be more appreciated.
None of this could have happened without the support of giving trees and collections held in venues across the county, including:
Dunelm – Howden – Notcutts – Oak on the Green – Bluewater – DS Smith – CAF – Albany Funerals – John Lewis – Kim & Willow – Maureen Roche – Bacon Butty Brigade… plus many more!!
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped support us to make Christmas extra special for our young people. From volunteer ‘elves’ to ‘sleigh’ drivers, and those who gave donations or shared our campaign – we are sincerely grateful to all of you, including:
Kent Lieutenancy Office – VCS Accountancy – UK Power Network – House of Hair & Beauty Bar – Nicola at Canvass… and many more!!
Care Leaver Christmas Appeal
Over the past few weeks, we have also been fundraising in order to spread Christmas cheer to our 2,000 care leavers, many of whom will be celebrating Christmas on their own for the first time.
We partnered once more with KCC in order to raise the funds needed to give each care leaver a £10 gift. And it gives us great pleasure to announce…..
WE DID IT!!! WE RAISED OVER AND ABOVE OUR TARGET OF £20,000!!
With huge thanks to all businesses, partners, organisations and individuals who donated.
We are able to gift EVERY SINGLE ONE of our care leavers this Christmas – and MORE!…
(Full news story coming soon).
This year, 2,000 care leavers will receive a gift, along with 1,200+ gifts that have been donated via our Giving Trees. That’s over 3,200+ children and young people who have been supported! Wow! Our generous community will bring Christmas cheer to so many families in Kent! Thank you!
Message from Stephen Gray, YLF CEO
“At the close of an extraordinary year, over the course of which we see so many young lives impacted by our wonderful team of volunteers and staff on the front line, I want to wish you a happy festive period from us all at the Young Lives Foundation.
As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of the past year, our commitment to ensure that young people live in communities where they are heard, are safe and supported; with opportunities to thrive and achieve, remains steadfast.
Can I take this opportunity to say a massive THANK YOU to every individual, volunteer, business, group, organisation, donor, fundraiser and partner for their support in 2023 and we very much look forward to the opportunities that the New Year will bring.
My very best wishes.”
Wishing our volunteers, supporters and donors a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!