Birmingham mum's heartbreaking letter as she shares reason she can't afford Christmas gifts

A Birmingham mum has revealed how she would struggle to afford Christmas if it wasn't for the help of a city family centre, and BirminghamLive's Brumwish appeal. In a bravely honest letter, shared with BirminghamLive, Louise wrote that Christmas gifts are off the table for her family as she struggles to even afford everyday essentials.

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across Birmingham living in poverty. More kids feel the pain of poverty today in Birmingham than at any time since modern records began - and for many, presents and visits to Santa are off the cards.

A whopping 11,000 new gifts were donated in 2023, and as the city's poverty crisis deepens, we are hoping to beat that target this year. Today, Monday December 16, is the last opportunity to help a child wake up to a Christmas gift.

There is still time to buy a gift off our Amazon giftlist, which goes straight to our Brumwish HQ at Edgbaston cricket ground, or you can drop off by arrangement at the cricket ground until Monday, December 16.

LAST CHANCE TO SUPPORT BRUMWISH: This pile of Christmas presents will go to Birmingham's poorest kids - here's how you can buy one

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Last week we visited Nechells POD, a lifeline family hub, to chat to families who have received Brumwish gifts over the years. One mum, Louise, was unable to make it to speak to us but wanted to share how much the centre helps her.

Written in blue ink and handed to us by POD centre worker Cameron Archer, Louise shared her struggles as a single parent, and it reveals just how gruelling it can be to afford everyday essentials for a family, let alone Christmas presents.

Louise's letter

Louise wrote: "Me and my kids have been attending the POD for three to four years. Throughout those years we have received Christmas presents, meals and activity sessions.

"I appreciate the POD not just for all they do for me and my family but for all the other families in the community. With being a single parent, money is tight, so when it does come to buying, it's always for the necessities, so toys are hardly included.

"With the help and love the POD provides, it allows my children to have a Christmas they deserve along with other families that are in similar situations."

During our visit to the POD centre, families told us they were turning off the heating, shopping at a different supermarket every week and using free bus rides in a bid to try and afford Christmas. Parent Sara Mahari told us: "I am very happy about the POD.

"My kids were excited about the gifts. The kids learn about Christmas at school, we celebrate at home. I do struggle, December is very hard I don't have enough work. I am looking for work, I am looking with an agency."

The 42-year-old is a school kitchen worker on a zero hours contract and has to travel an hour across the city on public transport to get to jobs.

"You manage, it's life" she said. Adding: "Last year the kids were very happy with the Christmas presents. This year, getting the Brumwish gifts will help." Pod volunteer May Nouh added: "The centre offers for us to give the kids presents. Last year [for Brumwish] the kids were happy with it. The kids came here and picked themselves."

She added that her children "don't ask" for toys, even on special occasions, so Brumwish is a highlight for the family each year. You can read more on what families had say in our report from the centre, here.

When is the Brumwish deadline?

The open drop off days have ended at Edgbaston but you can drop off by arrangement until Monday, December 16 by calling Louise on 07469 979286. You can also buy gifts which go directly to the stadium off the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist.