'We acted after chocolate coin was girls' only gift'

A charity set up after the only gift two girls got for Christmas was a chocolate coin from a coffee shop is marking 10 years of giving gifts to vulnerable children.

Christmas Sparkle, which is based in Taunton and Wellington, in Somerset, was born out the founder's desire to help those who might not receive presents at Christmas.

The organisation holds corporate days where volunteers help wrap the gifts, which are then distributed through various agencies.

Last year, it handed out 2,476 parcels and founder Gill Harrison said while she is "proud" she is able to do it, it is "sad" there is still a need.

Ms Harrison was inspired to set up the charity after hearing a story from a teacher at a school in Taunton.

"Two little girls, eight and 10, had come running in, really excitedly, to say they had had their first ever Christmas present," she said.

"Each girl had been given a foil wrapped chocolate coin, one each (from a coffee shop), and that was their first and only ever Christmas present.

"That's when I knew we needed to do something."

In her first year, the charity handed out more than 500 parcels and is now doing five times that number.

"The cost of living has got higher and higher, and more people are living in difficult circumstances so we're very lucky to live in Taunton, which is such a giving community," she said.

Christmas Sparkle hosts volunteer and corporate wrapping events over the festive period. Ms Harrison said that on a single day more than 45 people were in the office helping.

"It was very much like Santa's workshop... we had two people in full elf costume as well," she said.

"At this time of year you really see the beating heart of this community."

Once wrapped, the gifts are given to agencies such as social services, schools and refuges who then pass them onto the children.

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