Residents supporting the Christmas appeal of Bromley Brighter Beginnings can use new donation points at various leisure centres or at Bromley Civic Centre, as the Mayor of Bromley joins in donating.
Donations of children’s new pyjamas, pre-loved Christmas jumpers and new unused gifts are being welcomed at collection points to support the local charity’s Christmas for Every Child campaign. Bespoke hampers of age-appropriate gifts are distributed by the volunteer-run charity to local families in challenging circumstances, with more than 700 children and their families supported in 2025.
Donations are being welcomed until Friday 6 November at the new collection points in the receptions of The Spa at Beckenham, The Pavilion, The Walnuts and Crofton Halls leisure centres, and at Bromley Civic Centre, as well as the further sites already available across the borough. Residents and businesses can also support Bromley Brighter Beginnings’ Christmas appeal by making a financial contribution or buying an item to donate via their online Christmas shop.
This latest appeal follows Bromley Brighter Beginnings being awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest national award for voluntary groups, when the then-Mayor of Bromley offered thanks to those involved on behalf of Bromley at their celebratory reception.
The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Christine Harris, says: “This appeal is a prime example of the fantastic local charities we are lucky to have across Bromley, who work so hard to support residents. So, if you are able, please do support this appeal. Thank you to all the volunteers supporting Bromley Brighter Beginnings, as well as other causes across the borough, including my own mayoral charities. Thanks also to our partners Mytime Active for ensuring these additional collection points are available for residents.”
Anna Austin, fundraising and communications lead for Bromley Brighter Beginnings says: “For families experiencing hardship, Christmas can be especially challenging. It’s often the time when the gap between what parents hope to give and what they can afford feels widest. Through this campaign, we aim to make sure children get to feel the joy of Christmas - something new to unwrap, something to talk about with friends and no reason to feel like they missed out. We’re excited to be partnering with Mytime Active and Bromley Council, whose support will help us reach and support even more families across the borough.”
Steve May, CEO at Mytime Active, says: “Christmas should be such a special time for families, but for those living in poverty the stress of facing a day with no presents to give their children can be immense. That’s why we’re supporting Bromley Brighter Beginning’s Christmas for Every Child campaign at our leisure centres, encouraging the local community to each give one thing to help someone in need. So please pop in and help put a smile on a young child’s face this Christmas. The bins will then remain in our reception areas throughout the year, with collection needs changing to reflect Bromley Brighter Beginning’s ongoing support for local families.”
The priority for items for the campaign is:
- Purchases at the online Christmas shop
- New pyjamas, ages 0 to 11, without Christmas designs
- Pre-loved children's Christmas jumpers
- Unused new gifts
Find out more about the appeal, including the full list of collection points, on the Bromley Brighter Beginnings website.
This year the Mayor is also fundraising for two local charities, Madlani Cancer Support and The Dyslexia Association of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham. Find out more about the Mayor's charity appeal.
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For media enquiries, please contact James George, Senior Public Affairs Officer, on 020 8313 4565 or email james.george@bromley.gov.uk