More than 1,500 Christmas gifts stored at Vanguard Self Storage in Bath have now been dispatched to young people on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) wards across the country.
Ro Bevan, Christmas For CAMHS Trustee, Lee Cross from Vanguard, and Yvette Caster, Christmas For CAMHS Trustee
The impressive total, higher than last year’s collection, reflects the growing support for Christmas For CAMHS, a volunteer-run charity that ensures children and young people spending the festive season in hospital still receive a present on Christmas Day.
With no physical office of its own, Christmas For CAMHS turned to Vanguard Bath last month to rent a unit where donated gifts could be gathered, safely stored and organised for distribution.
In response, the storage company went a step further and offered the unit completely free of charge for the duration of the festive campaign. Staff at the branch also accepted donations on-site and assisted with transport.
Branch Manager Anil Kellay said the team had been delighted to get behind the cause.
He said: “We’ve been so proud to support such a meaningful cause.
“The efforts of Christmas For CAMHS bring much-needed joy to young people during the festive season. We have been honoured to play a part in making this happen.”
For the charity, the Bath site effectively became its hub.
Jessica Boatright, Head Elf at Christmas For CAMHS, said: “Did you know that Santa’s workshop isn’t at the North Pole? It’s actually at Vanguard Self Storage in Bath!
“Chief Gift Storage Elf Anil and his team of brilliant assistant elves have been busy for the past month receiving and storing boxes of gifts for us, and we are so grateful for their support.
“They have enabled our gifting process to run very smoothly this year, and young people up and down the UK will be waking up on Christmas morning to a special gift thanks to their incredible support.
“We couldn’t have done it without them.”
