Met’s Christmas Elves Ready to Deliver Joy to Thousands of Kids
The Met Police are teaming up with the Childhood Trust to ensure thousands of children across London wake up to presents this Christmas. Thanks to public donations, “Met elves” will deliver gifts to kids who might otherwise go without on December 25.
How You Can Help – It’s Quick and Easy
Anyone can chip in! Just visit www.metchristmastreeappeal2022.org and follow the simple steps to donate. Last year’s efforts saw over 17,000 kids unwrap a Christmas surprise thanks to generous Londoners.
Festival of Art and Compassion – Meet This Year’s Star
This year’s campaign features a heartwarming poster by seven-year-old Angelique Bass from Pimlico’s St Barnabas’ C of E Primary. Her artwork shows police officers and children holding hands around the world, symbolising unity and love.
Angelique said: “My picture shows love and compassion for everybody. You can be yourself no matter who you are and you will be accepted. I was thinking about how different people and religions are, and if we love and respect each other, the world would be a happier place.”
“I thought someone else would win but my mummy said I should think positive and always believe in myself no matter what happens.”
Honouring Young Talent Across London
- Eleven standout entries were picked from hundreds of submissions by children aged 4 to 10.
- The Met Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, chose Angelique’s drawing as the overall winner.
- Second place went to Daniel Stonebridge, 10, from Southall, who drew officers balancing on each other to place a star atop a Christmas tree.
- Third went to nine-year-old Michel Campana-Roman from Westminster, whose colourful Santa soars above New Scotland Yard and London’s skyline.
A Decade of Giving Back
Since launching in 2011, the Met Christmas Tree Appeal has grown massively. It started with just 230 gifts in its first year, but over the past decade, more than 133,000 presents have been handed out to children ranging from newborns to 17-year-olds living in tough situations.
Many recipients are from low-income families or live in foster care, residential homes, refuges, or hospitals. Project lead Rebecca Pritchard from Met Professional Standards said,
“Christmas should be special for every child, but too many young people could go without even a single present. The Met is working with communities and The Childhood Trust to ensure that thousands of children will wake up on Christmas Day to find a gift from Santa waiting for them.”
“All the posters were brilliant and Angelique’s drawing symbolising unity and love really captures what the appeal is about.”
