Brumwish Christmas appeal returns to help city’s most vulnerable children - how you can help

Brumwish is back for 2024. And people across Birmingham and the West Midlands are being urged to back our annual campaign delivering toys to children most in need this Christmas.

Backed by partners across the city and made possible by dozens of volunteers, it comes as we face a child poverty emergency. As we’ve reported extensively this year, more kids than ever before are growing up in poverty, being raised in care and even facing homelessness in the UK's second city.

Edgbaston Stadium will again transform into Santa’s Grotto, acting as the main present storage, sorting and distribution centre for the festive campaign. In recent years kind hearted people across the region have donated 1,000s of gifts for vulnerable youngsters.

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An online gift wish list has been created for anyone who is able to buy an extra present. For many children, they wouldn’t get a gift at Christmas at all if it wasn’t for the Brumwish campaign.

Graeme Brown, editor of BirminghamLive, said: "Birmingham's child poverty crisis grows clearer every year, which means Brumwish gets more and more important. No parent ever wants to be in a situation where they can’t afford to buy a present for their child at this special time. But for many that will be the reality this year.

“Being able to give a child just one gift could make such a difference for that family. We see each year the joy donations can help bring and urge people to please join the effort again."

Esther Lau-Mackaay, Edgbaston’s community engagement officer, added: “We’re proud to play our part in Brumwish 2024. The campaign was only launched a few days ago and already we’ve received more than 200 gifts. They will bring a smile to the faces of children for whom Christmas would otherwise be just another day on the calendar.”

Presents can be dropped off at Edgbaston Stadium on Friday December 6 between 10am and 3pm, Saturday December 7 between 10am and 1pm or Monday December 9 between 10am and 1pm.

Volunteers will be on hand to help and people are being asked not to wrap the gifts.

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