Hi all, we are now approaching the most wonderful time of year where family and friends come together to celebrate the seasonal festivities. It is the most magical time of the year for children....but for many families Christmas is the hardest time of the year. Currently in England 19.9% of children are living in relative poverty. The Institute of Fiscal Studies has predicted that relative child poverty will stand at 24% by the financial year 2020/21-significantly more than the national target of 10% set out in the Child Poverty Act 2010. You may know families that are secretly struggling, you may live near families that are struggling. Now more than ever is the time to help those in need. We all try to be charitable throughout the year, myself included. For the past few years my mother and I have also done a special food shop each Christmas and donated it all to our local food bank. We are planning on doing the same this year and are hoping that our friends and family give a helping hand by making a donation towards this food shop. The food bank that we donate to yearly are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks,supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. Nobody in our community should have to face going hungry, especially at Christmas. The food bank provides three days' nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. Help us to help our community. We will be doing the annual shop 16th December and will update everyone with photos of the donations (and reciepts). Please give what you can. Thank you. Tanya