Children and their families fleeing domestic violence will get Christmas presents this year, thanks to the annual Giving Tree at Broadway Shopping Centre.

Generous Bexleyheath shoppers have already donated scores of gifts for children whose families are being supported by Bexley Women’s Aid.

There is still time for more people to donate a gift in time for them to be wrapped and handed out by the charity, said Broadway Shopping Centre General Manager Peter Sedge.

Last year, the Giving Tree saw more than 300 gifts donated, helping families in challenging situations feel welcomed, appreciated, and remembered.

One woman whose son received a gift last year after she turned to Bexley Women’s Aid having fled an abusive relationship, sent a letter thanking shoppers afterwards, saying: “Me and my six-year-old boy had the best Christmas ever. This was thanks to your kindness.”

“We cannot thank you enough for the charities overwhelming kindness without which Christmas would not have been possible, not only for us but for everyone here.

“We are extremely grateful from the bottom of our hearts. I have regained my faith in the help of complete strangers. Christmas was not a dark place this year.”

The identities of the women who have been helped by the charity are not being revealed due to their challenging life situations. Bexley Women’s Aid provides a safe environment for up to 26 families affected by domestic violence. Last year it supported 76 women in refuge accommodation, along with 74 children. 500 further women are supported in the community.

Clair Johnson, the director of Bexley Women’s Aid, said: “The Giving Tree has been supporting families who use our services for several years now and we are overwhelmed with the support that we have received.

“It means the world to the children who we support to receive a special gift at Christmas.  “It makes such a difference to them, knowing that there are so many generous people out there.”

Broadway Shopping Centre manager Peter Sedge urged shoppers to come forward and keep donating to the Giving Tree right up until Christmas Eve.

Peter said: “We are always moved to see the number of gifts are donated to the Bexley Women’s Aid Giving Tree each year.

“It’s lovely to see the thought people have put into choosing them, to make sure their gift is special and really means something to the child who opens it on Christmas Day.

“We’d like to thank all of our generous customers who have donated a gift and also thank the staff and volunteers at Bexley Women’s Aid for the excellent work they do supporting vulnerable people in our community.”

Statistically 1 in 4 women will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives, and each week, two women lose their lives to domestic violence. All 300 gifts donated last year were distributed to local children in need, including those living in the refuge, those in the community, and children attending the Bexley Women’s Aid Christmas Party.

People who wish to buy a gift collect a tag from the Giving Tree next to Santa’s Grotto in Broadway Shopping Centre.

They are asked to return the gift they buy unwrapped, with the tag filled out with the age and gender of the child the gift is appropriate for.

To find out more about Bexley Women’s Aid visit: www.bexleywomensaid.org.uk Based on information supplied by Deb James.