A volunteer who runs a Christmas gift appeal in Jersey has said more families on the island are asking for help with children's presents each year, as donations opened for this year's collection.
Charlotte Riley, who organises Christmas Kindness Appeal Jersey through Facebook, told the BBC on Saturday that unemployment, ill health and the high cost of living were bringing families to the appeal. Donations can be made before 14 November, during a three-week window, and the scheme accepts clothes, food and essentials as well as gifts for children aged up to 18.
"What we are seeing is that each year we're getting more and more numbers coming through," she said.
Her account is the only measure of demand so far. No figures for 2026 have been published, and the appeal has not released year-on-year totals counted on the same basis.
Riley said the gifts helped to take the pressure off families. She said she had known people were in need when she began in 2024 but not how many, and that she had not expected the community's response.
She told the BBC that more people were also offering to help, including some who had received gifts in earlier years and now wanted to give back. Parents are given wrapping paper and labels so that they feel part of the process.
Riley set up the appeal in 2024 after seeing an anonymous Facebook post from someone struggling at Christmas. In December that year ITV reported that more than 100 Jersey children would receive presents donated by strangers through the scheme.
Laura Du Feu, who nominated Riley for Community Champion of the Year in this year's Pride of Jersey awards, said the appeal had supported 174 families in 2024 and 224 children in 2025. The two figures count different things and do not on their own show how demand has changed.
Du Feu said in her nomination: "Charlotte brings warmth, positivity, a laugh and the heart and soul that make people feel valued and supported".
The appeal is separate from the Jersey Christmas Appeal, the long-running charity backed by Channel 103, BBC Radio Jersey and Rotary, which provides vouchers for food, heating and toys and says it gave direct help to more than 1,600 people last year.
Riley's comments follow official figures published on Friday showing Jersey's retail price index rose 3.0 per cent in the year to September, up from 2.8 per cent in June, according to Statistics Jersey. The agency said heating oil and other fuels rose 47.7 per cent over the year and food 3.5 per cent.
In July, 13 organisations including Caritas, Mind Jersey and Jersey Child Care Trust wrote to States Members saying "Many families in Jersey are at breaking point." The letter said roughly one in four children were in relative low income. The most recent Statistics Jersey household income survey, for 2021/22, put the proportion of children in relative low income after housing costs at 24 per cent.
Ministers have not commented on the appeal. Donations to the scheme must be made before 14 November.
Join the Discussion
Have something to say? Join the conversation!
Sign in to share your thoughts and engage with other readers.
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this article!