THREAD: Last year we had a cleaner help out very close to Christmas. She brought her son along to work who saw our Christmas tree and presents underneath & said to his mum “I thought Santa couldn’t come this year”? This was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life.

My (4 month old) daughter had a bunch of presents from family wrapped and ready for her and this kid had nothing waiting for him. His mum gave us £20 and asked if we could run to the shop to get him a gift because she was working right up until Xmas and wouldn’t get a chance to.

The son asked for a specific toy he really wanted which was more expensive than she could afford. Of course we went out to buy him what we could, as did my sis, @tasha_a7 & @adamlangleben. That moment really hit me and stuck with me.

Since last year, we’ve been hit by a pandemic which will see so many more families plunged into poverty. As 2 examples - before Covid, nearly half of families in Colindale (in the borough of Barnet) lived in poverty. In Liverpool almost half of children live below the breadline.

We @linkey_uk will be launching a campaign in a week to help get presents to those kids whose families can’t afford to. Starting in those 2 areas.

We’ve partnered with incredible organisations in Barnet & Liverpool to help advise what is needed & get the gifts to those most in need. We’ve been working with @ellishowiee to launch the Liverpool arm of the campaign and more details of how everyone can help will be shared soon.

If you want to know more, or think you can help spread the word around launch, please DM one of us. Thanks! ENDS