Families boosted by Christmas grants from Portsmouth-based Naval Children's Charity praise work of 'amazing' team

The Naval Children’s Charity, based in Stamshaw, has provided more than 400 families - including 64 children in the Portsmouth area - with extra support to get through the Christmas period.

These grants were made available to some of the children known to the charity to be most in need.

Some 350 families received a sum of £300 to cover the cost of groceries over the festive period, with a further £100 donated to cover the cost of a present for each child.

A further 50 children have received a gift directly from the charity itself.

Clare Scherer, charity chief executive, said: ‘The Naval Children’s Charity gives help throughout the year to families around the UK. This has been a particularly difficult year for our families and we have seen many more than usual who are in crisis and are facing hardship.

‘We are delighted that we were able to offer some extra help to some of our children this Christmas. By giving these grants for groceries and Christmas presents for the children we hope that we have managed to spread a little joy.’

The charity asked some of its beneficiaries in 2020 to describe their feelings and emotional state before and after receiving the grant.

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Of the 98 respondents to the survey, the percentage of parents feeling anxious, stressed or worried was nearly identical at 85, 84 and 83 per cent respectively.

However, after receiving help from the charity, the overwhelming majority of respondents said they now felt both supported (88 per cent), and relieved (87 per cent).

More than two-thirds said that the grant would improve their lives, while 76 per cent reported an improvement in their wellbeing.

One grant recipient, who wished to stay anonymous, said: ‘I am so thankful to the Naval Children's Charity for the financial support they provided me and my children.

‘The process was easy to go through and the team were all amazing. They really care about people and the children and families they help and I'm so overwhelmed they helped me.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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