Your help goes a very long way...

Christmas is a time of the year that can be really tough financially. Each year we provide families that are struggling by providing presents, food hampers and credit towards utility bills for families that will otherwise go without.

Here at With Kids, we hear some heartbreaking stories of people left in desperate situations with literally nowhere to turn.

Last year we worked with many families who were in great need of support.

One particular family had 6 children and the mother had become so severely ill with MS that the father had to give up work to care for her and the kids.

Another woman's husband had walked out on her and their 3 kids taking every penny with him and leaving them with nothing. They'd planned to use his wage to go out shopping at the beginning of December but he used it to set up a new flat. She tried desperately to get loans but couldn't and finally heard about us 5 days before Christmas.

One woman had bought presents for the kids but at the expense of her electricity. She had a meter but every time she spent £10 on her card, £7 was taken towards her debt leaving her with just £3. She couldn't afford it in the run up to Christmas so stopped buying the cards, cutting herself off and leaving her without any heat or light.

Sadly, these stories aren't isolated incidents, you hear variations of them time and time again.

All families, regardless of background find that they have difficulties from time to time and too often parent's may not be aware of available support or the best action to take. With Kids aim to fill that gap and to provide flexible support that is suited to the needs of children and parents.

That is why we wanted to  take the time to thank our friends who have supported us and donated to the charity. We could not do it without you so from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

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