The Giving Tree Gift Appeal

Helping to make Christmas brighter for vulnerable children and families across Croydon.

The Christmas Giving Tree Gift Appeal brings the Croydon community together each year, collecting gifts for local children and families in need supported by Reedham Children’s Trust through Croydon Voluntary Action, with collection points across town centre venues including shops, cafés, hotels and community spaces.

What is The Giving Tree Gift Appeal?

The Giving Tree Gift Appeal is an annual Christmas event in Croydon town centre, bringing the community together to support local children and families in need.

It is a partnership between Centrale & Whitgift Shopping Centres, Croydon Business Improvement District (BID), and Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA) – for Reedham Children’s Trust – a local charity providing vital support to children and families across Croydon.

Giving Trees are placed in venues across the town centre, including hotels, bars, pubs, cafés, libraries, and retail stores, making it easy for the community to take part.

In 2025, the Giving Tree Appeal collected 1,837 gifts with an estimated value of £20,070, benefiting children and families across Croydon.

All donated gifts were distributed by Reedham Children’s Trust and CVA, to schools, food banks and community support services across Croydon. Recipients included Legacy Youth Zone, Majestic Community Services, Torch Light Community, Reaching Higher, London Ambulance Service, Croydon Council, Floating Counselling, Bright Futures for All, Be Inspired Youth & Community CIC and Ascent Fostering Agency, alongside several primary, secondary and specialist schools.

The results:

1,837 total gifts donated to children and families in 2025

£20,070 estimated value of gifts donated to the appeal

12 Croydon BID venues and employers actively part of the scheme

The Giving Tree Appeal is about so much more than gifts, it’s about ensuring every child in Croydon feels remembered and cared for at Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of businesses, residents, and staff across the town, over a thousand local children received presents that they might not have otherwise had. It’s a reminder of the impact we can have when the community works together.

Sarah Burns, CEO of Reedham Children’s Trust and Croydon Voluntary Action (CVA)