Met ‘Elves’ Deliver Christmas Joy to Thousands of London Kids
The Met is teaming up with the Childhood Trust to make sure thousands of London children wake up to presents this Christmas — especially those who might otherwise go without.
How You Can Help: Quick & Easy
Want to spread the festive cheer? It’s simple. Just visit www.metchristmastreeappeal2022.org and follow the easy donation steps. Your generosity funds gifts handed out by the Met’s very own ‘elves’—official police officers spreading holiday magic across the city.
Stunning Artwork Fronts the Appeal
This year, the Christmas Tree Appeal poster is a heartwarming masterpiece by seven-year-old Angelique Bass from Pimlico’s St Barnabas’ Church of England Primary School.
Angelique’s drawing, showing police officers and children holding hands around the world, was chosen from hundreds of entries by London schoolchildren aged 4 to 10. Borough chief superintendents picked eleven finalists before Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley crowned Angelique the overall winner.
“My picture shows love and compassion for everybody, and you can be yourself no matter who you are and you will be accepted,” Angelique said. “I thought someone else would win but my mummy said I should think positive and always believe in myself no matter what happens.”
Meet the Runner-Ups
- Second place: 10-year-old Daniel Stonebridge from Southall, with a colourful felt-tip drawing of Met officers stacking up to place a star atop a Christmas tree.
- Third place: Nine-year-old Michel Campana-Roman from Westminster, who illustrated Santa soaring above New Scotland Yard and London’s iconic skyline.
Record-Breaking Impact Since 2011
Since the appeal launched in 2011, the generosity of Londoners has snowballed. From just 230 gifts collected in year one, the campaign has delivered a staggering 133,645 presents over 10 years to children aged from one week to 17 years old.
The gifts brighten the lives of youngsters from low-income families, foster carers, residential homes, refuges, and hospitals. As project lead Rebecca Pritchard from Met Professional Standards says:
“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 thousands of children wake up on Christmas Day to find a gift from Santa waiting for them.”
“All the posters were brilliant but Angelique’s drawing symbolising unity and love really captures what the appeal is about.”
Donate today and help keep the festive spirit alive for London’s kids!
