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This year, the cost-of-living crisis means thousands of vulnerable youngsters, who deserve a magical Christmas filled with presents, food and Santa, will miss out.

Most of these children will have fled their homes with little other than the clothes on their backs.

Now rising prices are pushing them further into poverty.

But thanks to coverage in the Express, a gifting initiative – run by UK children’s charities KidsOut and Dreams Come True – has just hit 6,000 donations.

Gordon Moulds, the CEO of KidsOut, thanked the paper for its “generous support” to the Giving Tree Shop appeal, which was set up earlier this year.

A variety of toys and even dreams – such as a day out – can be purchased and donated to a refuge, or to Dreams Come True to support a vulnerable child.

People can donate goodies including baby dolls, books, cuddly toys, food vouchers, puzzles, Lego sets, board games and footballs.

Among the children to have a smile put back on their face this month is 12-year-old Tom, who fled domestic abuse from his father.

Running for his safety, Tom had to leave all of his belongings behind – but the staff at the refuge arranged for him to get a toy box from KidsOut.

Staff said Tom jumped off his bed in excitement and burst into tears as he was so delighted with his Christmas gift.

The brave young boy said: “This is the best thing I’ve ever had for a long time, thank you.”

There are 3.9 million children living in poverty – 27 per cent of children.

Many will have escaped to the safety of a refuge, but will wake up without a gift to open on Sunday.

These presents during the festive period will help children cope with the horrors they have faced and go a long way to preserving their long-term mental health.

One refuge support worker recently told KidsOut: “The children we work with have often experienced trauma and the loss of all things familiar to them.

“So for us to be able to provide them with a gift, to make them smile and to remind them of how special they are is wonderful.”

Mr Moulds said: “In these tough times, it never ceases to amaze me the staggering generosity of people.

“Many thanks to all those that supported our Giving Tree appeal.

“Without that support we would not have been able to provide the thousands of homeless children, that have escaped serious domestic violence and found sanctuary in a refuge, with a Christmas present and a trip to the cinema or pantomime.

“Sadly, every year after Christmas there is a surge of mothers fleeing domestic abuse with their children. KidsOut will also be supporting these families.

“Your support makes a very real difference.”

• There is still time to contribute to the appeal before Christmas at www.kidsout.org.uk/giving-tree

Santa’s Elves came early for Callum

For Callum and his family, celebrating Christmas is not easy because of the six-year-old’s respiratory condition.

He depends on oxygen in a hospital ward and every day is a struggle.

But the “little fighter” was given the Christmas celebration of his dreams, thanks to public donations and the children’s charity Dreams Come True.

Callum woke up surrounded by his family and his healthcare team, who he likes to call “Santa’s Elves”, and enjoyed a morning of gift-giving and a festive-themed buffet.

Mum Selina, 42, said the experience “will stay with me, his dad and his brother forever”.

Speaking to the Express, she said: “I am so grateful to have been able to turn to the team at Dreams Come True earlier this year and ask them to make my Callum’s Christmas come early.

“They gave him the best experience he could ever ask for. We had a family buffet, gave each other gifts, listened to Christmas music and decorated a tree.

“We even had a photographer with us to make sure that the memories were captured, and we’ll cherish the pictures that we have together as a family.”

Selina thanked Daily Express readers for helping grant this Christmas Dream.

Family’s Claus to celebrate

The last Christmas memory for Umar, three, and sister Naz, nine, was their raging dad smashing up the tree and TV, leaving a hole in the wall.

They were never allowed to play with friends, make a noise or watch cartoons and films.

Finally, they and their mother Amara escaped, empty-handed, to the safety of a refuge.

Thanks to KidsOut, Naz and Umar now have a box full of festive treats, including snacks, cinema tickets and toys.

Amara, 33, said: “I walked away with nothing and that broke my heart. Now the children have some belongings and that eases my guilt.

“Thank you so much for helping us, you truly are amazing.”

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