A local charity has thanked the community of North Devon for its fantastic response to a Christmas appeal to bring festive cheer to families and children who have fled domestic abuse.
The North Devon Against Domestic Abuse (NDADA) appeal saw generous donations of not only cash but also more than 2,000 gifts for the women and children living at the charity’s refuge and safe houses.
For those forced to flee violent and abusive relationships, NDADA runs the only refuge in Devon.
Most families arrive with very little, and Christmas can be a particularly difficult time, especially for young children who have been uprooted from all they know.
In the run-up to Christmas, the charity ran an online JustGiving appeal, which raised £422.
This was just the tip of the iceberg, with a vast range of gifts donated by local churches, businesses, organisations, and generous individuals.
This Christmas, the charity provided gifts to 202 children across the refuge, safe houses, and within the community.
They also gifted presents to 105 adults.
Examples of local generosity included an anonymous £250 donation to take the children to the Queen’s Theatre pantomime.
The Voice FM donated a pile of toys through its own Christmas appeal.
Primark Barnstaple supplied a number of gift bags after choosing NDADA as its charity for the year.
The Philip J Milton & Company Plc Charitable Foundation donated £250, matching cash donations made by its staff.
Women’s Institute groups across North Devon created beautiful quilts throughout the year for the charity.
These quilts are given to women and children at Christmas or during the year and are always greatly appreciated.
Local churches have been long-time supporters of the charity, with some contributing for more than 40 years.
Their congregations bring in gifts to place under Christmas trees, which are then passed on to NDADA.
Rachel Tossell, Children and Young People’s Team Lead at NDADA, said: “The brilliant response from our communities really does let our clients know they are in people’s thoughts over the Christmas period and shows them they are not alone.
“I want to thank all the churches, organisations, and companies that support us each year and have done so for many years.
“But also, a huge thank you to all those individuals that think of us, many of whom have been supported by us in the past and want to ‘pay it forward’ and give back in some way.
“Some buy gifts each month over the year to donate to us in December. It’s very humbling.”
Hannah Ashford, NDADA CEO, added: “A heartfelt thank you to our incredible community for the amazing support you’ve shown through our Christmas appeals.
“The thoughtful gifts, collections from local businesses, and funds raised through JustGiving have been truly humbling.
“For the families we support – many of whom come to us with very little – your kindness has brought much-needed comfort and hope during what can be a very difficult time.
“As we mark our 50th year, it’s clearer than ever that community support means everything to us at NDADA.
“It’s your generosity and compassion that allow us to provide not just essentials and safety, but also the reassurance that no one must face these challenges alone.
“Thank you for standing with us this Christmas and for making such a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support.”
NDADA would like to thank all who donated gifts or funds, including:
Christ Church Braunton, Fremington Methodist Church, the Tony Hudgell Foundation, The Voice FM, Children’s Hospital Pyjamas, Stagecoach, Primark, Wanderlust, Waitrose Holsworthy, Trinity Church Barnstaple, the Toy Bank, Chittlehampton Church, Bideford Church, Instow Church, and Heanton Church.
Special thanks also go to Bideford Baptist Church, South Molton Methodist Church, Langtree Methodist Church, South Molton Masonic Society, Braunton Church, The Grampus Inn at Lee, the Philip J Milton & Company Plc Charitable Foundation, Bideford St Mary’s Church, St Paul’s Church Sticklepath, the Women’s Institute, and Barnstaple and District Soroptimists.