Well what another amazing Operation Santa 2018 was! 13152 donations was our final figure for 2018. We had more support than ever from members of the public, statutory partners and businesses, with some phenomenal donations. Conversely, we also had more sad tales and children, and their families in crisis, than ever before – domestic abuse, burglaries, evictions, deaths, separations, parents with no money and no-one to turn to.
How did we do?
Who did we support this year?
This year we had 51 lists of children and young people who needed our support to provide a gift when otherwise they would get nothing [average number on list was 25, although there were 89 on one list!]. These lists came from people from the voluntary, community, faith and statutory sector [this included schools, social workers, children’s centres and housing support], who support children and families in need. We don’t deal with individuals and only take referrals through groups, as that way the group can identify those most in need. We have had more organisations and groups than ever before through the Operation Santa Grotto this year!
In addition to that we funded 11 Christmas parties, some of which provided a full Christmas lunch and provided grotto presents for parties.
Supporters
Our regular supporters from Kingswinford Charity Football Club – Simon, Carl, Mike, Jason, Louis and their lovely families supported us again this year: fundraising to provide a hot Christmas lunch and party for 100 local children and their parents at DY1 Venue. Simon works in local schools in the borough, so was able to ask them to nominate families most in need. Abi and Stacey helped us again, as did Becky and Ben Knott who dressed up as elves. They did a sterling job assisting Santa 
and keeping the children amused. Abi’s colouring corner was a huge success too, with those who didn’t want to join in the fun with Wally Wombat having a quiet time with some colouring. Wally did a wonderful job of amusing the children and the adults.
Everyone sat down to a delicious Christmas dinner, prepared once again by the lovely Donna, Dawn and Kayleigh from Lunch on the Run, who gave up their Saturday to cook and serve a piping hot lunch.
Huge thanks to Eric for stepping in to play Santa. He did a fantastic job and the children thoroughly enjoyed chatting to him. One little boy was trying to grab an armful of presents 
which brought home to us how little some children may get at Christmas. Team Santa elves had wrapped lots of lovely grotto presents so everyone got an extra treat on their way out too. Cheers to Carl too for once again providing goody bags for the parents.
It was a wonderful afternoon and everyone seemed to have fun, although we were moved to tears after discovering that one family had eaten nothing hot for two months and a second family hadn’t eaten anything for a couple of days. However, we had food spare from lunch and two sizeable take-away bags of food were soon put together for the families, including some fresh baguettes. Turkey and stuffing sandwiches may well have been on the menu for tea that day!
The party was a roaring success as always and it’s all booked again for next year.
Not cont
ent with providing the party, the lovelies did a huge Smyth’s toy shop the following week, which ensured the grotto was bulging at the seams again. They drove over to Smyth’s in Longbridge, where Shane the manager kindly offered to open an hour early so they had the shop to themselves. Here are the boys with their huge pile of toys.
Maren Lilley from Dudley MBC
Dudley MBC staff and Local Councillors
More staff and councillors than ever kindly supported us this year with a wonderful selection of toys and gifts. Here is Maren from Chief Exec’s Department who organises the council collection each year.
Glynne after School Club
This lovely group have supported us for several years and this year was no exception with a visit to the grotto loaded with gifts. It’s wonderful that a group of local children want to make a difference to other children who may get nothing for Christmas. This lovely photo shows Dean Goodman (Deputy Manager), Carley Jewkes-Jones (Deputy Manager), Emily Eades (Chairgirl) and Christian Allport (Chairboy)
Please click here for a full list of all our lovely supporters
Brilliant businesses bringing hope
Brett and the Blaze Angels – Our wonderful Business Ambassador and his team have, as always, gone the extra mile for Operation Santa. They generated an incredible 4946 donations and as always brokered the mystery business supporter’s donation. This team are on a mission to make a difference and spread the word about the difference Operation Santa makes locally, and the importance of supporting the appeal.
Our Magical supporter – Lee Southerton from Volks Magic and his team of amazing supporters from Santa’s a Gangster were fired up to make a huge difference this year. Lee’s nephew Dale donated a VW Mk2 Golf Cabriolet and a prize draw was set up.
Along with fundraising at VDubz in the Valley, the Prize Draw and other lovely supporters, this year over £9000 was raised! Lee even had a video made by the legendary Fuzz from the Car SOS TV programme encouraging everyone to support the appeal!
This phenomenal figure meant that we were able to do a huge shop for toys and gifts, which meant the grotto was piled up to the ceiling and at one point we couldn’t get in the door. Also we were able to provide food gift cards, toys etc and emergency support to families in crisis, including one who was the victim of a burglary right before Christmas, when the thieves stole Christmas presents for 3 girls, but left the TV and electronics! This incredible fundraising has also meant that we have a very healthy bank balance for Operation Santa 2019.
Not content with providing funds, Lee and Billy the Elf popped in regularly with piles of donations too, totalling a jaw dropping 1576 donations of toys and gifts too!
Court House Carvery – Chris, Paula and Paul who run the pub kindly donated 100 free Christmas lunches for local children. We approached two local schools and provided a coach for the Monday 17th December meal, when 50 children and their parents from Bromley Primary School enjoyed a Turkey Dinner with all the trimmings and ice cream for dessert. Santa was there too and every child received a present.
On Wednesday 19th December the Court House hosted another lunch and 50 children and their parents from Bromley Hills Primary School enjoyed lunch, dessert and a present from Santa too.
Smyth’s Toys – Shane the Manager at the Longbridge store generously opened his store an hour early one Sunday, so Simon, Mike, Carl and Jason for Kingswinford Charity Football Club could shop in peace. He also gave them a generous discount and some free toys – what a star!
Prospect coaches – kindly provided us with a free coach for the 19th December Court House Christmas lunch, after we had to change the school attending and needed a coach at very short notice.
Merry Hill private hire – when the appeal went out for a free coach, Adam from Merry Hill Private Hire kindly offered us one too and although we did not take him up on his generous offer, we have been invited to ask again next year if we are again offered free carveries.
Geoff Hill – We sadly said goodbye to Geoff Hill this year and he was a much loved and stalwart supporter of Operation Santa for many years. He was also a founding member of the Hope Charity that used to support the appeal. Geoff popped into the office every year with a cheque to support the appeal. He will be sadly missed as he was so much a part of Operation Santa, amongst all his other charity activities.
Nicklin – are one of our longest serving supporters and Harvey was on the original Hope Charity Board. Each year staff collect for us and encourage their customers to donate too, so they always arrive with a lovely pile of gifts.
We also had a small business who had ceased trading and donated their stock to us, which was entirely toys and colouring packs.
Our mystery supporter – each year we have a sizeable donation from a large high street retailer who insists on remaining anonymous, but is brokered via Brett Harris from Blaze Hair. This year they generously gave us around 2000 items, which have all gone to good homes.
Team Santa
As Operation Santa has grown we’ve had to grow the team too and three new elves joined our ranks in 2018. It’s certainly a volunteer role with a difference as it’s a hectic 6 weeks of collections and deliveries of toys and gifts, sorting, counting, wrapping grotto presents, helping with toy and gift selection, plus helping at our Christmas parties, greeting guests, helping with activities, laying the room out, helping to serve lunch and clear away after, plus numerous other tasks. I would like to record my heartfelt support to the incredible team who helped make Operation Santa so successful and supported me through an extremely stressful and emotional period.
Trev is my long-suffering husband who is conscripted each year to support Operation Santa. He’s always spend hours of his own time, petrol and money to support me to make Operation Santa go smoothly, and reach as many children and young people as possible.
Rose Cook Monk
Has volunteered for Operation Santa for three years and loves to make a difference. She juggles her volunteering around her existing charitable activities, most notably the Duncan Edwards Foundation, her speaking and family commitments. Rose’s comments about Operation Santa below sum up why she is so passionate about supporting #TeamSanta every year:
“Operation Santa for me is what Christmas is all about…..thinking of others, giving love where it is needed and sharing the true meaning of the festive period. When you see your time and effort rewarded with hugs, smiles and tears, it is worth every second. Operation Santa is an extension of my own family Christmas and the team behind it my extended Family”
Jayne Waltho
“Brilliantly organised operation to deal with a very large amount of donations. Superb team, all pulling together to make it all happen and ensure that as many children as possible have some joy at Christmas time. Very humbling, and at times some upsetting stories, but so happy to be part of the incredible “Operation Santa” and to know that I helped in making a difference! Ready to help when it all starts again this year!! “
Sarah Alliband
“What I liked most was knowing that my efforts are helping to make a difference to people’s lives, parents and children alike 😁”
Steve Mukovic [aka Steve Ford]
Joined us an elf in November 2018 and spent hours in the grotto with the other elves, sorting donations and wrapping approx 650 grotto presents! Steve was a lovely, warm-hearted man, with a wonderful sense of humour and always made you smile. He volunteered for 35+ years on the Children’s Ward at Russell’s Hall Hospital, granting wishes to over 500 children and also volunteered for Dudley Hospital Radio and as a minibus driver for Dudley CVS when they ran their transport project. We were sad to learn that Steve passed away between Christmas and New Year, and we will miss him dearly.
Sandra Moss
We also recruited another elf this year, especially to help us with the Court House events. The lovely Sandra [who is a friend of Brett Harris from Blaze Hair] arrived at the Court House in her elf outfit at both of our special carveries, helping to set up the room, serving lunch and helping Santa.
Feedback
It’s always good to hear that Operation Santa has made a difference and we’ve had some lovely feedback this year.
A grateful Mum
Just before Christmas we supported a single Mum Chloe who had been the victim of a burglary. Her car and all the Christmas presents for her three daughters were all stolen, whilst the family slept upstairs. Her mum sent us a lovely thank you message:
“I cannot thank you and your team enough. I just can’t believe how you have turned a really horrendous situation upside down. My daughter sat on the kitchen floor when Marieclare brought the presents and broke her heart. You and your team have totally restored my faith in the human race … you cannot imagine the difference this gesture will make to the girls xmas… U are truly amazing and I cannot thank you enough. What a blessed xmas Chloe will have xxxxx”
Jon Stevens – Head teacher, Bromley Hills Primary School
“Before Christmas we were given the opportunity to send a group of children, with their parents, for a Christmas lunch at the Court House Carvery in December. It was Eileen Fielding who contacted us and arranged this for us. I would like to send my appreciation and thanks, first of all to Eileen for organising this so well and then to the Court House Carvery for providing the food free of charge to families who cannot afford this normally. It was a fantastic experience for the children, who came back buzzing with excitement, and for the parents who all said how wonderful the food was and also that they were given this chance and opportunity.
Therefore, on behalf of the children and parents, I would like to say a very big thank you for providing this chance for us, it really did make a difference.”
Sarah Parkes – Brierley Hill Family Centre
“Just an email to say thank you for all of the hard work you and your team put in to support our families. Without people like you the children we work with would not have had that special gift to make their Christmas. You’re a star 🙂 “
Sutton School
“Operation Santa has given Sutton School students a magical Christmas and a huge smile on their faces”
What’s next?
We are organising another fundraising event on 23rd March, so please help us spread the word and raise lots of funds for this year’s Operation Santa. We are hoping to raise £1000 to pay for hot Christmas meals for children and families across the borough, who may otherwise not get a hot meal.
Dudley CVS blog 