A support group which is helping families over Christmas by providing gifts they can't afford says parents have been requesting Calpol and baby wipes. The Kindness Project is helping hundreds of people and asked parents what gifts they would like help with at Christmas.
Organiser Liam Schewitz said parents are leaving their heating off and going without food to feed children - meaning the idea of buying presents is out of reach. But instead of asking for toys and treats, parents are having to ask for the bare essentials, reports the BBC.
Liam said: "Some things reduce you to tears. We've had parents asking for Calpol, baby wipes, basic clothing for their children. Calpol. Calpol for Christmas.
"We've had a lady get in touch with us, saying her baby has a dermatological condition and the kid needs Dermacare wipes, that cost £3 or £4 instead of the normal £1. That's what she wants for Christmas for her kids."
The Kindness Project is a community group based in Cardiff, where parents ask for what they want for their children. Items are added to an Amazon Wishlist and bought by donors. It was launched during the Covid pandemic in December 2020.
One parent wrote to the group this year: "I literally can't afford a single present for my three boys. I feel like a failure. The boys are very caring and help me a lot, I'd like to give them a little something."
Liam told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "It's heartbreaking to see. We have parents where both are in work, and they can't afford to turn the heating on, can't afford to eat themselves.
"The food that comes into the house is for the children, and as a result, Christmas presents for their kids, that's right on the backburner." He added: I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it is."
One mum wrote to tell the group her partner died this year, and her family is now in temporary accommodation. She wrote: "After everything this year and waiting any day to start from scratch with nothing, I just want my kids to have a day where they can hopefully enjoy a day again and to see the excitement on their faces that Santa has been."
