Angel Tree – An opportunity for prisoners to send a Christmas gift to their children
Christmas is especially difficult for prisoners and their children. Angel Tree lessens the devastation experienced as a result of parental absence by not only helping families to connect and build relationships, but by providing much needed joy.
You may have supported Angel Tree in the past, or the ministry may be new to you. Prison Fellowship volunteers across England and Wales buy, wrap and send gifts on behalf of local prisoners to their children, including a personal message, hand written by inmates and at no cost to the prisoner. Also included in the parcel to each child is a Christian storybook, unless they specifically refuse that option, which is rare.
Over the last few years the numbers of parents participating in the Angel Tree programme has increased and since last year we offer the programme to not just HMP Swansea, but also HMP Parc – Invisible Walls Family Unit. In all, almost 5,000 presents were distributed across the UK last year!
We work directly with the Chaplaincy at Swansea and the Family Unit at Parc to arrange for the distribution of leaflets, posters and application forms throughout the prison during September. We are now in the position to start fund raising and hope that you will be willing to consider contributing to this wonderful ministry. It costs £20 minimum to send a gift to each child, including postage and packing.
Link to an animation about Angel Tree: https://youtu.be/wxSwAAhtUwc
I have attached a link to a YouTube Video entitled ‘Theresa’s Story’. Theresa was struggling with addiction and abusive relationships, and with her children taken into care, she found herself in prison over Christmas…
If you would like to get involved and help to put some smiles on children’s faces this year by providing a donation, please get in touch via swanseapf@gmail.com for further information. Donations of Cash/Cheque/Bank Payment are all accepted.
Bank details are as follows and we request that the reference Angel Tree is included to enable us to allocate the donation to the correct account here locally.
Swansea Prison Fellowship Sort Code: 30-93-53 Account No: 26062060
Many blessings
Gill Worrall – Angel Tree Coordinator