There are certain areas where families are living in such extreme poverty that children won’t get a single Christmas present this year.

One single mum who currently lives in a hostel in east London with her two daughters, aged 11 and 14, said she dreads the festive season.

‘There is simply no money left for presents at all,’ she told Metro.co.uk.

Christmas is supposed to be a magical time of the year – especially for children (Picture: Getty)

The Childhood Trust has discovered almost 40 per cent of disadvantaged children in London won’t receive a gift this year, and of those that do, the average amount spent on them will be £16.79.


That is eight times less than the national average of £145 that will be spent per child on Christmas presents across the UK before December 25.

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The mother we spoke to – who asked not to be named – has lived in temporary accommodation for the last five years after fleeing a violent relationship.



She said that ‘food alone is even a struggle’ at this time of year, and despite the best intentions of teachers, children come home from school hoping for a Christmas full of magic, turkey and presents which can add to the anxiety and stress.

‘Last year my girls got some note books and hand cream from me,’ she said.

‘When [my eldest daughter] was younger she used to think she was naughty, because she didn’t get presents like her friends.’

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The mum sat her girls down recently and asked them what feelings they had when they thought of Christmas.

Her eldest daughter told her the words ‘anxious’ and ‘increased disappointment’.

She added: ‘It makes you feel ashamed.

‘My eldest said she would like to ask for things for Christmas, but that she doesn’t want money to be spent and then we go without other important things.’

She added: ‘The kids come home from school where they have built up all this excitement and I’ve got nothing for them.

‘I am dreading December 21 when school breaks up, I don’t know what to do.’

Disadvantaged children in the boroughs of Hackney, Haringey, Camden and the City of Westminster are particularly unlikely to receive gifts, The Childhood Trust said.

Researchers surveyed 33 charities supporting 63,000 young people, using answers collected from social workers and the children themselves.

London's ‘no-fly zones’ this Christmas The top five boroughs and the percentages of disadvantaged children there (Picture: Metro.co.uk) Hackney Haringey Camden City of Westminster Islington Lambeth Tower Hamlets Lewisham Wandsworth Newham Enfield *According to information provided by The Childhood Trust

They found low wages and benefits payments not meeting the cost of living in the capital meant 67 per cent of the children surveyed found Christmas a difficult time of the year.

Almost all of those who took part in the study blamed material deprivation, with 82 per cent of the children saying they felt left out at Christmas time.

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The Childhood Trust is today launching its Big Give Christmas Challenge campaign calling on people to donate cash for it to be able to fund the charities that support disadvantaged children in London throughout 2019.

Last year’s campaign raised £1,550,000 which spread across 56 charities.

Childhood Trust chief executive Laurence Guinness, said: ‘It is heart-breaking to meet children who are suffering at Christmas and beyond through want of a hot meal or warm clothes, let alone presents and other festive treats.



‘I appeal to all Londoners to generously support their local children’s charity via our Big Give Christmas Challenge and help to ensure that all disadvantaged children in London can receive the support they need.’

Some children surveyed said they felt ‘left out’ seeing other children getting presents (Picture: Getty)

The mother in east London knows all too well the impact charities can have on families feeling stretched at this time of year.

‘One Christmas, I managed to get a tree – but I had nothing to go under it,’ she said.

‘These people from a charity came along and – with no judgement – said “who needs our help?”

‘They filled the space under the tree with presents. These charities are vital.’

All donations made via the campaign will be doubled while matched funds last. The campaign starts today and ends at midday on Tuesday, December 4.

You can donate here: biggive.org.uk/childhoodtrust

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