Staff at Dunelm running a charitable Christmas appeal this winter were left emotional after they received some heart breaking wish lists from children who asked for very basic items from Santa Claus this year.
The home store has began its annual Christmas appeal as the festive period draws closer with the aim to bring 'joy' to families across the UK but this year staff were touched by the requests they were presented with by children as their wishes highlight the harsh reality of living in poverty for many kids in Britain.
Amid the cost of living crisis which has seen thousands of families across the country struggling as inflation rates have sky rocketed along with high energy bills will undoubtedly leave many parents unable to provide their children with Christmas presents this year.
There is believed to be around 3.6 million children in poverty in the UK and the home stores Christmas appeal has shed light on just how tough life currently is for many families as their children have wished for such little things that those of us who are fortunate enough to have, take for granted.
Some of the most common items requested by both children and adults included a hat, scarves and gloves, as well as toiletries among adults and some chocolate asked for by kids, the Mirror reports. Dunelm's appeal involves a Christmas tree decorated with pre written tags with items the children would like to receive this festive season, shoppers can then choose a tag from the branches, purchase the desired gift and bring it back to the store to place under the tree before December, 11.
While most of us would expect children to ask for the toy that makes their eyes light up every time they see it on the telly, employees as Dunelm have been reduced to tears by the most commonly requested items. On the festive tags, one little boy under the age of 10 simply asked for a "hat and a biscuit please" and another boy under 12 heartbreakingly asked for "a teddy to hold in case Santa doesn't come to me."
Another little girl echoed the same devastating sentiment, as she requested a "selection box in case Santa doesn't come". Adults also asked for similar items, as one requested a selection box while another asked for clean socks and toiletries.
Kelly Nichols, a staff member at the Dunelm branch in St Helens, Liverpool, shared the heart-wrenching requests on Facebook to show just how much families are struggling this year. Sharing this year's appeal, she wrote on the post: "How are we in 2022, and facing this?!
"Help us to Deliver Joy this year to so many people who are facing a Christmas with absolutely nothing. If you'd like to donate, but can't get down to store & collect a tag, I'm happy to send you some via Messenger...simply deliver them to us, at your convenience, before Dec 11th".
Many people flooded to the comments section on Kelly's post desperate to offer help, with one writing: "I'll pop in at the weekend & collect a few tags absolutely heartbreaking". Others were offering to bring gifts directly to stores that they already had purchased, with some even offering up cash.
After her first post gained traction on social media, Kelly shared a follow up message thanking people for their generosity. She wrote: "I am completely lost for words at the generosity of every single member of this page.
"I have just sent out our 200th tag via Messenger, we have the most amazing ladies waiting to receive tags in bulk for their schools & businesses to fulfil AND we're down to single figures on the tree in-store. We do have more tags on the way, but if you'd like to help now, please just buy a tin or packet of food from anywhere, and drop it into store.
There is more information on how you can donate gifts to children as part of Dunelm's appeal this year on the retailer's website.
