As the nights are drawing in, the excitement of Christmas is starting to surface.

However, not every family will be feeling excited about Christmas with some spending the festive period away from home, upset or frightened.

This year we are asking ECC employees and the wider community to spread a bit of Christmas magic by donating a gift to families in domestic abuse refuges in Essex this Christmas.

During the Christmas period, police see a rise of reported domestic abuse incidents- meaning families and children move into refuges, often quickly with very few of their personal possessions with them.

We would like to give each child who may be in a refuge over Christmas a gift as well as some treats for the adults too.

Anything you can give will make a real difference, thank you.

Info- jenna.gordon@essex.gov.uk