The Met is supporting The Childhood Trust as its 2024 Christmas Tree Appeal charity partner.

This year's Appeal will raise funds to ensure that London's most vulnerable children are kept safe this Christmas.

Despite London being ranked the fifth wealthiest city in the world, 33% (700,000) of London's children live below the poverty line.

Donations will enable The Childhood Trust's vital work to alleviate the impact of child poverty across the capital, with a focus on improving children's safety and wellbeing at home and in the community.

Through its London-wide network, The Childhood Trust will deliver vital projects in every London borough this Christmas, including providing hot meals and warm clothes, accommodation support and advice for families, safe spaces to play, learn and socialise, safer home environments and targeted interventions to tackle issues including the impact of homelessness, temporary accommodation or being vulnerable to abuse, gangs and crime.

Londoners are invited to make a donation.

Here's how your donation can make an impact:​

• £10 – A winter book to inspire creativity and imagination​
• £15 – Hot meals for a child for a week​
• £30 – A month of educational or recreational activities to keep a child engaged​
• £50 – Essential counselling for a child in need of emotional support​
• £150 – A warm bed and duvet for a safe, restful night

Any donation you can make will help the Met keep London's vulnerable children safe.

Speaking about the appeal, a Met Police spokesperson told Nub News: "Through the Met's Christmas Tree appeal, we hope to ensure that thousands of children across London who may have gone without, wake up with a gift on Christmas Day.

"Despite London being ranked the fifth wealthiest city in the world, a third of the capital's children live below the poverty line - and it's only getting worse each year.

"Hundreds of fantastic volunteers are giving up their time to take part in the appeal – preparing and delivering gifts, promoting the project, and working with local councils to identify children who would most benefit from our support this Christmas.

"Policing is an all-encompassing profession to keep people safe and provide support in your time of need, as well as nurturing relationships with young people, so they know who to turn to if they need help.

"This is a vital step in building a safer London and a police service that instils trust and confidence in the society we serve.

"We want to thank those who have already contributed to our Christmas Tree Appeal so far and to encourage others to get involved.

"We are still collecting donations and gifts to ensure our young Londoners have a merry Christmas, so there is still a chance to donate if you can and help us spread some festive cheer."

£10.4k has been donated so far.

You can donate to the appeal here.