Santa Stork 2025: Behind the Presents
As the sleigh bells fade into the distance and Santa and his reindeer head back
As the sleigh bells fade into the distance and Santa and his reindeer head back toward the North Pole, children up and down the country lay sleeping dreaming of what lies beneath the tree. But while excitement sparkles in many homes, others sit in an altogether different quiet. Behind closed doors, parents lie awake long after their little ones have fallen asleep. They’re doing mental gymnastics: juggling the cost of food, heating, nappies and rent, realising the numbers simply won’t stretch to Christmas presents this year. Not because they don’t want to make magic happen, but because keeping the household going has to come first.
And that’s exactly where Santa Stork steps in. That’s where you came in.
Every year, something extraordinary unfolds. A community of Team Stork volunteers, corporate partners, local businesses, schools and individuals come together with one shared belief: that every child deserves to feel magic on Christmas morning.
Thanks to you, we have supported 5,514 children.
Each gift bag they receive is carefully put together by one of our volunteers, who handpick a present based on the child’s age and interests. It might be a Lego set to fire up their imagination, a cuddly doll, a football ready for kickabouts or an art set to let their creativity run wild. Every bag includes the main gift, a book, a fun stocking filler and a little chocolate treat, all bundled together to create a moment of pure Christmas joy on Christmas morning.
This year, we once again teamed up with Truly Giving to help even more children experience the excitement of opening a gift on Christmas morning. When a child had their heart set on something specific, our referral partners could submit a request directly to Truly Giving. From there, kind-hearted donors stepped in to purchase that exact present, ensuring each child received something truly special and chosen just for them. This year Truly Giving supported 1,200 children.
This year, Truly Giving provided over 1,200 Christmas presents to children who may otherwise have gone without, and we simply could not have done it without Stripey Stork. We love working with them – their support with administration, transport, storage and delivery is invaluable. Our volunteers were truly blown away when they saw the scale of the work Stripey Stork does to support children and families all year round, and by the care, compassion and attention shown by every member of their staff and volunteer team. We are incredibly grateful for this partnership and feel genuinely blessed to work alongside them.
Susie, Truly Giving
Santa Stork is made possible by the incredible generosity of our community, and this year truly reflected that spirit. We’re so grateful to everyone who shared their time, donated items and supported us in so many ways. From dedicated volunteers to organisations that donated and hosted collections, as well as the schools and community groups who came together to gather items. Every effort helped make a real difference. Here are some of the highlights from this year’s campaign:
We were supported by a huge number of individuals who chose to donate either by making virtual purchases through our online shop or by purchasing items through our Amazon wish list. The shop allowed supporters to fund specific items we were running low on, giving us the flexibility to buy exactly what was needed. Amazon parcels arrived in their hundreds, and because the wish list was regularly updated to reflect incoming requests, we knew the gifts being sent were the right ones. When stocks of popular items such as Barbie dolls, footballs and teenage gifts ran low, the response was incredible, with Amazon vans arriving full of parcels just for Santa Stork.
Every year, Emily and Jo bring a touch of magic to Santa Stork with their generous donation of Lego sets. Their thoughtfulness turns Christmas morning into a moment of excitement and creativity for children across Surrey and Croydon, sparking imaginations and smiles in countless homes.
Penny Kirk’s support for Stripey Stork shines all year round, and this Christmas she went above and beyond by rallying the Oxted community to collect over 400 gifts. Her energy, organisation and commitment brought the community together, turning generosity into joy for children across Surrey and Croydon.
Kirsty from Socials with KL, Georgia, a trainee teacher whose mum is a referral partner, and Kate from Surrey Mamas really went above and beyond in their support for Santa stork. Their donations made a significant difference to us being able to meet every request.
Freddie from Oakhyrst Grange School championed Stripey Stork by delivering a presentation to his fellow pupils, who then voted to make us their Charity of the Year. The school community quickly rallied together, organising a fantastic Santa Stork collection. Freddie’s enthusiasm has inspired his classmates and helped bring festive joy to children across Surrey and Croydon, showing how one young person can make a real difference.
Supporter Stephanie found a fun way to support Santa Stork. She had her annual gingerbread house decorating party for her children and friends and asked them to donate a gift.
15 Surrey libraries acted as drop off points for Santa Stork, making it easy for supporters from all corners of the county to donate gifts. By opening their doors to the community, the libraries became hubs of festive generosity, helping people come together to share kindness and ensure that requests could be fulfilled.
Reigate Methodist Church held their annual Christmas Tree Festival featuring the Stripey Stork tree. Their congregation also kindly collected brand new gifts.
Ralph James Estate Agents Reigate once again supported Santa Stork at the Reigate Business Guild Christmas Fair selling cakes and hosting a game to raise a fabulous £400.
Christmas concerts are a special way of bringing communities together and spreading festive cheer and Walton Voices and Voicerox did exactly that through their performances. Alongside filling venues with music and celebration, both choirs raised funds for Santa Stork through audience donations, with members of Walton Voices also collecting gifts. Their concerts combined community spirit with generosity, making a real difference in helping Santa Stork fulfil requests this year.
Sporting clubs also brought people together in support of Santa Stork, showing how shared activities can create real community connection. Reigate Squash Club supported Santa Stork by attending our quiz and donating a selection of sporty gifts, while Reigate Ladies Joggers combined their annual tinsel run with a charity rafle to raise money for Santa Stork. Pleiades Netball Club also rallied their members to collect gifts. Each club’s efforts helped turn team spirit into generous support that made a real difference. In2Training Gym in Farnham also contributed by asking their members to donate brand new gifts. The response was fantastic and helped us to stock our shelves with the gifts we needed.
Churches in the local community once again played a vital role in supporting Santa Stork, showing how faith and fellowship can bring people together for a common cause. The United Benefice of Lingfield and Dormansland organised a fantastic collection and arrived with a huge car load of gifts. Christ the King Church in Salfords organised a collection once again, while St John’s Blindley Heath, St Nicholas Church and St Stephen’s in South Godstone all rallied their congregations to gather gifts.
We were also incredibly grateful to Barclays Walton, Specsavers Dorking and Tesco Hookwood, who all donated lovely collections and helped spread the word about Stripey Stork in their local areas. Their support played an important part in raising awareness and generosity within the wider community.
Across 24 schools, nurseries, and colleges, children and young people brought festive spirit to life by collecting gifts and chocolate for Santa Stork. Some schools have supported us for many years and are long-term friends and supporters of Santa Stork, while others were inspired to get involved for the very first time — with school communities and parents and carers responding in droves. In some cases, individual schools contributed hundreds of donations. It was wonderful to see such kindness and generosity, proving how powerful community action can be in helping fulfil festive requests. Banstead Prep School, Dunottar School, Glenesk School, Glyn School, Kiddi Caru Nursery, King Edward’s Witley School, Little Raccoons Nursery, Mickelfield School, Nescot College Public Services Department, Oakhyrst Grange School, Playtime Day Nursery Chessington, Powell Corderoy Primary School Dorking, Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Parish Church Primary School, Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory and Choir School, Sandcross Primary School, St Aiden’s School, St Bede’s School, St John’s School Letherhead, St Matthews Infant School Cobham, The Ashcombe School, The Hawthorns School and The Weald School Beare Green.
This year marked the first-ever Santa Stork Christmas Quiz at Reigate Manor Hotel, following the success of our Stripes4Stripey quiz in June. Guests brought along brand-new gifts and teams made up of volunteers, staff, corporate partners, referral partners and friends competed across 10 rounds of Christmas-themed questions. Laughter, friendly rivalry and generosity filled the room, with the event raising £3,000 that will help Santa Stork bring Christmas joy to families across Surrey and Croydon.
13 different corporate groups joined us throughout Santa Stork. Volunteers logged donations, created Christmas jumper bundles and carefully assembled present bundles – while embracing the festive spirit with Christmas jumpers, music and mince pies. Many groups went further, collecting donations in their workplaces and sharing the Santa Stork story with colleagues, friends, and family and even donating gifts themselves. Thank you Celtic Contractors, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Naked Ideas, Partners Group, Peoplesafe, Pfizer UK, Powertutors UK, TotalEnergies, Toyota, Unum UK, WTW and Your Finance Team.
Long-term supporters Celtic Contractors went above and beyond this Santa Stork campaign. They came to our Christmas quiz, volunteered at one of our corporate sessions and donated a remarkable number of gifts. Their energy, generosity and festive spirit brought joy to every session and played a key role in helping Santa Stork fulfil requests during the season.
Morr and Co brought festive cheer to Santa Stork in more ways than one this year. They joined in the quiz and stepped into the role of Santa Claus, personally delivering gifts to partners across Surrey. Beyond that, they lent crucial support by transporting donations between locations, ensuring everything reached Santa Stork in time to be packed into gift bundles. Their generosity, energy, and festive spirit helped make a real difference in bringing Christmas joy to families.
Behind every gift and every festive bundle, our wonderful volunteer Elves have been hard at work, bringing energy, cheer and care to Santa Stork. From sorting donations to assembling presents, no task is too big or small for them and their enthusiasm fills every corner with festive spirit. Thank you to: Alison B, Alison N, Amy, Angie, Ann G, Ann T, Anna M, Anna T, Anne Marie, Bern, Bridget, Caroline, Caz, Carolyn, Celia, Debbie, Elizabeth, Emily, Emma, Fiona, Georgina, Helen, Jill, Joanne, John, Julie, Kate, Kathryn, Katie, Kersten, Laura, Lois, Lottie, Lynn, Margarida, Megan, Melanie, Moira, Pauline, Penny, Rowena, Sally, Sarah B, Sarah C, Susan Hi, Susan Ho and Viv.
This project would also not be possible without the hard work of our staff team: Abbie, Chris, Gill, Jayne, Millie, Sara, Sarah and Victoria.
Behind every request is a child dreaming of the magic of Christmas morning – the excitement of unwrapping a gift and the reassurance that Santa hasn’t forgotten them. Santa Stork brings that joy to life, creating moments of wonder and happiness that, even if just for a little while, make the world feel kinder, brighter and full of festive magic.
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the beautiful gifts you provided for Crawley Happy Baby. I cannot begin to tell you the joy they brought to our children and their mothers.
Happy Baby
In a time of such uncertainty and isolation, your kindness provides a moment of joy. These gifts were so much more than items, they are a message to this mother that she and her children are valued and supported by their new community
West Thornton Primary School
This Christmas, a particular family were experiencing significant financial hardship, struggling to provide even the most basic necessities. The amazing support from Stripey Stork and all of its supporters who donate every year, has brightened up this child’s life. This kindness eased the pressure on the family. The mum was truly grateful at the generosity of the gift and this has enabled them to feel a sense of relief this Christmas. She was very emotional and thankful.
Harris Primary Purley Way
Baldwin and Robinson Law
Banstead Guides
Banstead Prep School
Barclays Chessington
Bassil Shipman Trust
Betchworth and Buckland Society
Betty Riseley Trust
Beauty Banks
Books by Bow
Booktrust
Celtic Contractors Ltd
CJ from Sal’s Shoes
Creative Assembly
Dean and Charlotte Holborn
Dunottar School
Emily & Jo Kennett
Father Jim Christ is King Church Salfords
FESPA
Fourleaf
Gallagher
Gamely
Gibson Games
Glenesk School
Glyn School
Horley Town Council
Horley WI
In2Training Gym, Farnham
Jane Babbage
Kiddi Caru Nursery
King Edward’s Witley School
Lactalis
Little Raccoons Nursery
LNRS
MAM Baby
Mickelfield School
Morr & Co
Music Gateway
Naked Ideas
Nescot College Public Services Department
Nestle Purina
Nicola B Designs
Oakhyrst Grange School
Partners Group
Penguin Random House
Penny Kirk & friends
Peoplesafe
Pfizer
Playtime Day Nursery Chessington
Pleiades Netball Club
Powell Corderoy Primary School, Dorking
Powertutors UK
Ralph James Estate Agents, Reigate
Rebecca Paul MP
Reigate Grammar School
Reigate Heath Golf Club
Reigate Joggers
Reigate Manor Hotel
Reigate Methodist Church
Reigate Parish Church Primary School
Reigate St Mary’s Preparatory and Choir School
Reigate Squash Club
Rickwood Estates
Royal Caribbean Cruise Group
Sal’s Shoes
Sandcross Primary School
Scheidt & Bachmann
Socials with KL
Specsavers Dorking
St Aiden’s School
St Bede’s School
St John’s Chruch Blindley Heath
St John’s School Letherhead
St Joseph’s
St Matthews Infant School Cobham
St Nicholas Church Godstone
St Stephen’s South Godstone
Stephanie and friends
Surrey Libraries
Surrey Mamas
Surrey Moves
Tesco Hookwood
The Ashcombe School
The Hawthorns School
The Rowan Bentall Trust
The Watermill Pub, Dorking
The Weald School, Beare Green
Therfield School
Total Energies
Toyota
Trinity Oaks CofE Primary School
United Benefice of Lingfield and Dormansland
Unum UK
Vinarchy
Voicerox Choir
Waitrose Distribution Centre Support Team
Walton Voices
Wingate Foundation £750
WTW
Your Finance Team
As the sleigh bells fade into the distance and Santa and his reindeer head back
It’s that time a year again when we feel it’s important to reflect on everything
Between 2nd and 9th December 2025, we took part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
The children were huddled together under towels, trying to keep warm in a bitterly cold