North Devon appeal brought joy to 200 kids fleeing abuse

-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


A charity has thanked the community of North Devon for its fantastic response to a Christmas appeal to bring a little 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 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 – but most families arrive with very little and Christmas especially can be a difficult time, particularly for young children who have been uprooted from all they know.

ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE: Mum shocked by holiday photo finds way to lose 91lbs in 10 months

READ MORE: Devon troublemakers cause headache as town issues 'rife'

In the run up to Christmas, the charity ran an online JustGiving appeal which raised £422, but 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 spread across the refuge, safe houses and within the community, as well as gifting to 105 adults.

Just a few of the gifts and toys donated by generous local organisations to North Devon Against Domestic Abuse at Christmas. Credit: NDADA
Just a few of the gifts and toys donated by generous local organisations to North Devon Against Domestic Abuse at Christmas. Credit: NDADA

Examples of local generosity included an anonymous individual donation of £250 to take the children to the Queen’s Theatre pantomime, while The Voice FM donated a pile of toys via its own Christmas appeal and Primark Barnstaple supplied a number of gift bags after choosing NDADA as its charity for the year.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Philip J Milton & Company Plc Charitable Foundation donated £250 after it matched cash donations made by staff at the local finance company.

Women’s Institute groups across North Devon produce beautiful quilts throughout the year for the charity, which are given out to women and children at Christmas or during the year and are always greatly appreciated.

Local churches have been massive supporters of the charity, some for more than 40 years, with their congregations invited to bring in gifts to place under their Christmas trees and pass them 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 peoples’ thoughts over the Christmas period and to show them they are not alone.

“I want to thank all the churches, organisations and companies that support us each year and have done for so many years.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But also a huge thank you to all those individuals that think of us, many who 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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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.

Thanks also 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 Marys Church, St Paul’s Church Sticklepath and the Women’s Institute plus Barnstaple and District Soroptimists.