'They wake on Christmas morning with nothing, they don't get Christmas dinner, just a pack of crisps'

Eight years ago, the staff at a community centre in the Rhondda Valley were asked if they had anything that could be given as Christmas presents to some kids whose families were struggling. Fast forward to 2023, and such was demand, they gave out 500 gifts.

The first request for help came from a school on its first day of the autumn term, and it snowballed into hundreds of requests mainly to help primary school pupils, but also some over 11s. But each toy comes with a price, and the amount of people or businesses able to donate is less than ever.

We're proud to say a huge number of those gifts last year came from you, our WalesOnline readers, who helped with our Christmas appeal. And this year, as the staff at the centre warn they face an even bigger demand, we're asking for help again and have today launched our Amazon wishlist.

READ MORE: How to donate to the 2024 WalesOnline Christmas appeal

There are items from a few pence up to pounds and each is sent direct to us so we can give to the centre. They will then ensure every one goes to a child in need. Some are referred by schools or social services, some are direct appeals from families to the staff and others go to women in refuges. Every single one will give a smile to a child this Christmas, a child who otherwise would have nothing.

"Without this they don't get anything, they wake on Christmas morning with nothing, they don't get Christmas dinner, just a pack of crisps because there's no money," said Rachel.

This community centre isn't unique. There are hundreds of them, or places like them, up and down Wales, all offering help to people in need. They are people who are proud, who don't want to ask for help, but have run out of places to turn. What places like Canolfan Pentre do is offer it in somewhere that isn't intimating, or carries any stigma. People can go to the after school club, the baby group, or the lunches for older people. They not only meet people, but can get advice or help, but also food for their cupboards, clothes for their children, and now, gifts for Christmas.

If people need food from the top-up shop, everything is either 30p, 50p or 70p. It is all sold at a loss compared to the price it's bought for but it means people can buy it themselves. The range of products it now needs to stock has had to increase, last year it was dried goods, tins and food. Now it includes nappies, baby food, toiletries and even toilet rolls.

Last year, our wishlist included food for the top up shop and will again. Because for the two weeks schools are closed, many of these children will go without a hot meal. This gives their parents a chance to fill the cupboards.

How to donate to our Christmas appeal

1. Buy an item from our Amazon wishlist and have it sent directly to us. You can access the list here.

2. Bring any items - new, unopened, and if food, in date, to the WalesOnline office at 6 Park Street, Cardiff, CF10 1XR, Monday to Friday 8am until 6pm.

We will then give the items to the staff at Canolfan Pentre to distribute.

But it doesn't stop there. Last year they also gave out Christmas hampers so that families could sit down together and eat a meal of treats. It is no exaggeration to say that otherwise some of these families would be eating a basic meal they could have any other day of the week, or day of the year.

The presents we hand over are given to families unwrapped, so they can be wrapped at home with love. We're not only giving a child a toy this Christmas, but their parents or carers some pride that they are not having to feel guilty or explain to their kids why there is nothing for them.

"Last year we knew numbers would be up on the previous year because more people were using the top up shop. Whereas we'd normally give a present each we thought it might have to be a present per family because we just didn't know where the volume of toys would come from, and, because toys are so much more expensive now so we didn't know what to expect," said centre manager Rachel Evans.

They know the demand for help at Christmas will be bigger this year because it is up in each of the sessions they run. The after school club has doubled in demand for up to 40 a day, double the demand last year. The type of people asking for help is changing too. "The demographic has changed," said Rachel, a combination of a lack of jobs, people losing jobs, and the cost of living mean there are now more working families than ever needing help.

"It breaks your heart, it's soul destroying," said Rachel. "It is just wrong, it's not just the families not working but the families where mum and dad are out 40 hours a week, and then they can't afford to buy their kids Christmas dinner. They feel a bigger failure because they're out working and still can't afford to feed their kids," she said.

"You never know what's going on in the house next door," added Rachel.