We helped deliver hundreds of gifts to children in Manchester this Christmas

Giving Trees were displayed at nine Virgin Media O2 offices, where employees were invited to pick a card from the tree which had a present request written on the back from a child or young person supported by Action for Children. Colleagues then purchased the items and delivered them to their nearest centre in time for Christmas.

In Manchester, employees supported Action for Children’s Manchester Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST) treatment. MST is a strength-focused, home base family model that works with parents or carers of young people to support positive behavioural changes.

The service supports families where children are at risk of entering care or are involved with the court system or are facing other challenges such as offending behaviour. By strengthening family relationships and improving stability at home, MST helps prevent young people from entering care and enables them to remain safely within their families and communities. Gifts included sensory toys, arts and crafts, Lego, board games, electric cars and more.

Employees were able to take part through Virgin Media O2’s industry-leading volunteering programme, Take FIVE, which provides every employee with five fully paid volunteering days each year to support charities, community groups and causes close to their hearts.

Catherine Joyce, National Director of England at Action for Children said: “We are very grateful to the staff at Virgin Media O2 who are showing up for vulnerable children and their families when they need it most.

“For many of the 4.5 million UK children now living in poverty, Christmas is anything but magical. No stockings. No presents. No festive food - often no food at all. Imagine your first memories of Christmas being going to bed hungry and being too cold to sleep.

“Thanks to their present donations to our services across the UK, Virgin Media O2 will help the children and the families we support feel the magic of Christmas.”

Dana Haiden, Chief Sustainability Officer, Virgin Media O2 said: “Our people show incredible generosity every year, and this Christmas is no different. Through

Action for Children’s Giving Trees, colleagues across the UK have come together to provide gifts that will bring joy and comfort to children and young people who need it most.

Using their Take FIVE volunteering days, our teams are making a real difference in their local communities.”