DOZENS of Christmas gifts were given yesterday at a Santa event with a difference, run by a High Wycombe business.
Instead of grabbing a present from Father Christmas’ grotto, visitors were asked to donate one instead.
Every year Advanced Interior Solutions, an office refurbishment specialist based in West Richardson Street, holds the event in support of a charity which offers help to disadvantaged families with young children.
This year it will be donating presents to the St Andrew's Family Support Group, which operates out of at St Andrew’s Church in Hatters Lane, High Wycombe.
Graham Peart, MD of the company, said: “These kids wouldn’t get Christmas presents otherwise, because the families have no money.
“We assume all the kids in town are having the same situation at Christmas, but they’re not. Figures for Bucks say 11 per cent of children in this county are determined to be underprivileged in some way – that is a massive amount.”
Children will go to visit a more traditional Santa Claus at St Andrew’s Church nearer to Christmas Day itself to be presented with their donated gifts.
The office held an informal open house throughout the morning, as visitors stopped by with their donations.
An all-day breakfast was served by way of thank-you to the many people who came to support the festive event.
Last year Advanced Interior Solutions donated more than 50 toys and £1,200 to Wycombe’s Home-Start charity, which offered similar support to disadvantaged families across the area.
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