Merton Christmas Tree Project Helps Local Families

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More than 400 presents donated at Wimbledon police station

Thanks to the generosity of families, businesses and local people in Merton, more than 400 presents and gifts for young people in care or living in vulnerable circumstances have been handed in at Wimbledon police station.

With a winning poster design by local school girl Keisha aged 8, the Commissioner's Christmas Tree Project launched on November 10 with a grand ceremony at New Scotland, attended by Merton borough commander Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart MacLeod, Merton Volunteer Police Cadets and guests.

Since then, gifts for a wide range of children have been handed in at Wimbledon police station and elsewhere, ranging from books, toys, games and much more.

The Wimbledon Women's Institute kindly donated a large number of gifts at their Annual General Meeting, where Cadets gave a speech and thanked the ladies personally for the gifts.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association also took part in the project and went collecting within the community for gift donations.

Helen Clark-Bell of Love Wimbledon has been instrumental in engaging many generous local business and commercial contacts, who have really made a difference. And with the Met's Safer Neighbourhoods teams, families and schools have come forward to make what Merton police said was their most successful Commissioner's Christmas Tree Project.

Detective Chief Superintendent MacLeod said: "We are truly grateful for all the generous donations and kind words of support coming from all over Merton, to make sure all our young people have something to look forward to at Christmas, and to show people care. I am really proud of everyone who has supported and taken part this year."

The presents were delivered to Social Services at Merton Civic Centre where Patricia Simpson received them from Chief Inspector Mark Lawrence and colleagues. Her team will pass on the gifts on our behalf to the families and young people they support.

PC Tim Mann Youth Engagement Officer said: "Our Cadets wrapped up over 300 presents and have given up a lot of their time to support this project. It is great to be a part and brilliant to see young people really keen to help other kids and teenagers in our communities, really making a positive difference."

To find out more about the MPS Christmas Tree Project please see: http://www.met.police.uk/christmastree/.

December 24, 2015