Keshia Is Rewarded For Her Christmas Tree Poster

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Event also marks launch of annual Christmas Tree Project

Local Christmas tree poster competition winner Keshia joined Merton borough commander Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Macleod, Met Police Commissioner, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe and other guests at New Scotland Yard, for the launch of the Commissioner's Christmas Tree Project on Tuesday (November 10).

Supported by Volunteer Police Cadets from boroughs across London, looking after guests and children and families from all boroughs, the Commissioner said at the event: "Christmas is a time for giving and who are more worthy of receiving that generosity than children in care who can find this season difficult."

Mr Macleod and Yvette Stanley, Director of Children's Services at Merton Council, are leading this year's Christmas Tree Project in Merton, which aims to give gifts to local children in need.

Mr Macleod said: "We had some excellent entries from our Merton primary schools and choosing a winner was very hard. But Keshia's stood out and was chosen by us, so congratulations Keshia and thank you for such a lovely design, which we will be using to promote locally."

Merton residents and businesses are invited to get behind the campaign and give a gift by taking a tag from the tree at Wimbledon Police Station. They are also available at Mitcham Police station.

You can also take part by visiting the online virtual MPS Christmas tree at http://www.met.police.uk/christmastree/merton where you can obtain the age and gender of the child in need of the gift.

In addition this year, members of the public can also make a donation by visiting the Just Giving webpage at https://www.justgiving.com/metxmastree/. Please add ‘Merton’ to the comments box so your donation is forwarded to the correct borough.

The target this year for Merton is 325 gifts. The gifts will be for children aged from one week to 17 years. The children are currently being cared for by foster parents or are in residential care homes.

The suggested value of each gift is no more than £20. Please bring them to Wimbledon or Mitcham Police Stations before the 8th December so all the gifts can be delivered to the children at their care homes before Christmas day.

The MPS is grateful to all those who took part in last year’s campaign to spread some Christmas cheer and we hope you join us again this year.  

November 13, 2015