Charity gives Christmas trees to care families

A charity has donated 48 Christmas trees to families with experience of the care system, to provide them with a "symbol of hope" during the festive period.

They were given out at an event by the Susan Vickers Foundation, which aimed to help families celebrate Christmas.

Decorations, jumpers and toys are also given to families and children to help build a positive association around Christmas, when they may have experienced "lots of disruption" in the past.

"By gifting these families with a Christmas tree, we aim to remove the financial burden and allow them to fully participate in the Christmas traditions that many take for granted," charity founder Susan Vickers said.

Amanda and Richard Collins, from Stourbridge, have been foster parents for 14 years and said the event was one of many great ideas by Ms Vickers.

"It's amazing because you can be yourself and turn up to the event with no judgement," Ms Collins said.

Susan Vickers set up the foundation in 2024 to support care experienced families and children after a childhood in fostering and adoption.

She said there was not "any support" for families when she was growing up so she created the foundation to provide opportunities for emotional and social development.

The charity is run by care experienced people and offers professional training and services that aim to create positive change.

"A lot of young people are taken out of their family home at this time of year and they become really isolated," she said.

Ms Vickers said she hoped the programme would help create "generational change" and establish future family traditions at Christmas time.

"This simple act of a Christmas tree can have a profound impact on their sense of belonging and security."

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