Christmas presents for 200 children in care in the borough were delivered to Brent Civic Centre today by the police.

The gifts are the result of the Metropolitan Commissioner’s Christmas Tree Gift Appeal, where members of the public were encouraged to buy a festive present for a young child in care this.

Brent Council will pass on the gifts to the youngsters before Christmas Day

Sergeant Katie Ruff, who co-ordinated the appeal for police in Brent said:

“The giving of a gift to a child in care who may have been through some difficult times, by a person they have never met, is truly within the spirit of Christmas.

“I hope our initiative will put a smile on many children’s faces at this wonderful time of year. The amount of presents donated and the thought that went into choosing the gifts were remarkable.”

The appeal, which was launched last month, encouraged members of the public and police staff to collect a gift-tag from their Christmas Tree in Wembley Police Station, which had the age and gender of a child in care.

They then returned the tags, complete with wrapped presents worth up to £20 each, to the police station before the appeal deadline.

Cllr Ruth Moher, Brent Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “It is a great idea by the Met and we are absolutely delighted to help them in delivering these gifts to children in care to help make their Christmas a little brighter.”