17 December 2023 , 22:35
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A heartbreaking letter to Father Christmas from a 10-year-old girl that "no child should have to write" has been shared to highlight child poverty.
In the emotional penned message, the schoolgirl writes that her mum had told her that Santa is ill this year, meaning he can't come to her house to deliver presents.
She then sends him wishes that he gets well soon, as it would make her brother "happy".
It was shared by the Big Help Project as part of its campaign 'Dear Santa', which aims to reflect the struggles facing families living in poverty over the festive season.
She sends Santa her wishes that he gets well soon, as it would make her brother 'happy' (Cometogetherchristmas2023)The Liverpool-based charity works to help those living in poverty by providing a range of different services, including a food club, debt and welfare advice and employment support. The girl's full letter reads: "To Santa, mum told me you are sick this year and you can't come to our house. I hope you get better soon. I think it would make my brother happy! Love Lilly xx (Age 10). PS. We have been really good."
Half of UK's vulnerable kids live in poverty as 27,000 miss out on essentials
In a post on Facebook, the charity said: "No child should have to think Santa is poorly and can't bring them presents. One in seven children will go without any gifts this Christmas. We are using our campaign 'Dear Santa' to reflect the struggles families living in poverty will face over the festive season. This campaign will highlight five different letters to Santa from children living in poverty, as for many, this time of year is not about festivities but survival."
The Big Help Group charity estimates around one in seven children will wake up to nothing on Christmas morning this year, and around 24,000 children in Liverpool are thought to be living in poverty and deprived conditions. With higher costs of living and energy prices of families struggling for gas, electricity and food, many families will also struggle for basic costs over the Christmas period, they added. All of their donations for their Come Together campaign will go directly to community centres spread across the whole of Liverpool, meaning they can ensure they reach the families and children who need it most in the city.