IFCF supports Action For Children Secret Santa campaign by making each and every one of Iceland’s 28,000 colleagues a Secret Santa
Action For Children has launched its latest campaign encouraging Brits to become a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child this Christmas. For many children, this Christmas will be very different with thousands facing Christmas Day without a hot meal, a present or a safe place to sleep.
The campaign encourages people to become a ‘Secret Santa’, providing a virtual gift that could provide a hot meal, a pair of shoes or warm winter clothes for a vulnerable child. Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation is lead partner for the campaign, and has made all 28,000 Iceland colleagues Secret Santas with a donation of £280,000 to Action for Children.
Comedian Jason Manford has pledged his support to the campaign and is encouraging others to get involved by donating as little as £10 which will pay for a child to be well fed, warm and safe on Christmas Day.
Last week, Jason visited some of the families who are beneficiaries of the charity, surprising them with deliveries of food and toys in the Action for Children ‘Secret Santa van’ and hearing some of the challenges they face first hand. His delivery round in Liverpool enabled him to hear more about how the campaign will benefit families facing Christmas after a year which has turned millions of lives upside down.
Jason said: “This Christmas will be so different for all of us, but for some people it will be a huge struggle, with many facing a reality of choosing between paying the bills or feeding their children, before they can even think about Christmas presents. I met some amazing families last week, who through no fault of their own are facing real challenges, made worse by the pandemic. I was heartened to see the support provided by Action for Children for myself.”
Richard Walker, Trustee of the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation said: “When we heard about the Secret Santa campaign, we knew we had to help in any way we could, and what better way of supporting it than by making our 28,000 colleagues Secret Santas themselves! Child poverty and food insecurity are issues very close to our hearts as a charitable foundation and something that our colleagues work hard to alleviate. We are delighted to support the work of Action for Children in communities across the UK, especially in a year which has seen many families face tougher challenges than ever.”
Melanie Armstrong, Chief Executive at Action for Children said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be partnering with the Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation for our Secret Santa campaign this year. It’s fantastic to see that Jason Manford has signed up to be a Secret Santa too, alongside 28,000 amazing Iceland colleagues. Thank you Jason!
“This generous support will help our frontline workers to deliver life-changing support including giving vulnerable children across the UK a hot meal at Christmas time. As many families go through one of the most difficult festive seasons they have ever faced, the help we provide is needed more than ever before.”
To sign up to be a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child, click here
