A Bristol mum-of-two has spent the last few years collecting Christmas donations across the city to gift to struggling families ahead of the festive season. From toys and clothes in perfect condition to unwanted bikes in need of a forever home.
33-year-old Jodie Lyons from Hanham said the cost of living crisis will make it difficult for families and “no child should go without”. As a single mum on benefits, she is also struggling but wants to help those less fortunate. “I am lucky that I am able to go to the charity shops to get a few bits here and there but some people are worse off than me,” she added.
Miss Lyons has assisted multiple families in the past who felt unable to give their children the Christmas they deserve due to poor funds. “I had hundreds of families come forward and I gave out the boxes which really made a difference,” she said.
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As a child, she said her mum would work four to five jobs but they still didn't have enough money. “Sometimes I would come home and we would be lucky if there was a packet of crisp left for tea - it was really tough.” But despite their struggle, she always had something for Christmas and birthdays.
“It might not have been the most expensive gift but I don't want other children to wake up with nothing. Miss Lyons lost her mum five years ago and believes that if she was alive today, she would be “proud of her”. I want children to feel that they’ve always had something,” she added.
This year she hopes to set up a toy bank where families can choose a box to gift their children and with less than six weeks before the seasonal break, she has already begun to receive donations - you can head over to her Little toads Christmas special donations Facebook page for more information.
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