Designed to be a fun alternative to the traditional Secret Santa, individuals from two Barnsley-based services have been busy buying presents to make a difference to children this Christmas.
Cygnet Pindar House and Cygnet Oaks, both part of the Cygnet Health Care division, have completed the Kidsout’s Giving tree which is inviting firms and individuals to ‘Ditch Secret Santa’ and buy toys for children in local refuge homes and other children across the country who are in great need.
The recipients are children who have escaped domestic violence, being forced to flee their homes quickly and leave all possessions behind. Without the Giving Tree, these children may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas.
Cygnet Health Care Clinical Manager Amy Leiter said: “Many of the staff involved in donating to the giving tree have young children, nieces and nephews. We all understand the importance of the magic of Christmas, and the thought of any child waking up Christmas day without a single gift was very upsetting.
“By donating to the giving tree we can make a child smile and share the magic of Christmas.
“The feeling of making a difference was so very strong that more giving tree labels needed to be ordered as people wanted to donate more. People have felt a very strong sense of pride in donating the toys. People have felt proud of each other efforts and it has reinforced the already strong bond we have a Cygnet Pindar House and the Cygnet Oaks.
“Being in a caring profession has enabled people to use the same kindness to make a difference to children this Christmas.”
Cygnet Pindar House, on Upper Sheffield Road, is a 22 bed Neuropsychiatric care and treatment service for men affected by acquired brain injuries and progressive neurological diseases like Huntington’s Disease. Cygnet Oaks is a 35 bed hospital specialising in high dependency inpatient rehabilitation for men.