Adopted brothers and friends donate Christmas gifts

Two adopted brothers and their school friends have donated their Christmas presents to children in need in Wolverhampton.

The boys, aged 10 and seven, decided they wanted to help other children who might go without, and two other families joined them in handing over gifts to be distributed across the city.

The pair have previously donated their presents for the past four years, the council said.

"We are lucky as we have so many toys, and we want to help to make other children smile too, especially at Christmas," they said.

The gifts were handed to the council's Graiseley Family Hub to be distributed after the family contacted the boys' social worker at Adoption@Heart to see how they could co-ordinate the donation.

The boy's mother said: "We are happy to make this contribution to know that these toys will bring smiles to the faces of children, bringing joy and spreading kindness to those who need it most."

She said the boys were adopted as babies and she was glad to have encouraged the values of being "grateful for what they have, to be charitable, to look after those more in need and to share".

"As adoptive parents, we feel incredibly blessed to share smiles and joy with our sons every day," she said.

"Each year, alongside other school parents, we honour the memory of our sons' dear friend who passed away in 2021 by giving back in this meaningful way."

The family adopted their eldest son when he was eight months old and while never planning on having a second child, they changed their minds after seeing him play on his own when they took him.

"We then decided on a sibling for him, and his brother joined our family when he was seven months old," their mother added.

"They together are so close and absolutely love each other to bits. It's the best thing we ever did, giving us our perfect family."

The hub they donated their gifts to supports families with children aged up to 18 years old, including in areas such as parenting, housing, benefits, training and employment, the council said.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, said: "I am touched by this simple act of kindness which will make all the difference to our children in need, not just because of the gifts themselves, but because of the selfless nature of the young people and families who are donating gifts.

"I would like to take this opportunity to send them a heartfelt thank you from all at our family hubs."

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