Care Leavers Christmas Appeal  

Fair Ways is launching a Care Leavers Christmas Appeal alongside children’s campaigner, Chris Wild to provide rucksacks full of essentials and small gifts to young care leavers in the UK.   

A care leaver is any adult who has spent time in care. We all know the challenges faced by Care leavers when most support and funding abruptly ceases and can leave them feeling alone, abandoned and vulnerable.   

Care leavers often struggle with poor mental health, unemployment, crime, and homelessness. In fact, recent statistics show that within the first 2 years of leaving care, one-third of care leavers become homeless.   

Fair Ways Christmas Appeal is reaching out to fellow occupiers in Lakeside, the local community and our staff to help us make Christmas a little brighter for some of society’s most vulnerable.  

From the 27th of November to the 14th of December you can donate items at Lakeside North Harbour, for a list of suggested items please see the bottom of this blog.  

If you are unsure what to get or haven’t got the time to shop for items, financial donations will also be greatly appreciated via our GoFundMe page.   

More information on Chris Wild  

Chris Wild is a national campaigner and author of best-selling books on the Care system and was a notable presenter at the Fair Ways Conference in 2022. Having grown up in care he is now passionate about making a difference in the lives of care-experienced young people. When asked why he launched this Christmas care leaver appeal he said “I remember waking up one Christmas day as a care leaver, alone, in a bedsit with nothing but a pot noodle. That’s why I do what I do.”.   

Suggested donations  

• Thermals, hats, gloves, scarves, socks.   
• Toiletries such as shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, soap or deodorant,   

• Smellies such as body spray, aftershave or perfume  

• Sweet treats such as chocolates, sweets, biscuits, cereal bars, instant coffee or hot chocolate  

• Gift vouchers for example Amazon, Costa or Tesco.   

• Small gifts such as Lynx sets, manicure sets, hot water bottles, hair/ face masks, card holders. 

Thank you for your support.