POLICE officers are looking to brighten Christmas for vulnerable children across Colchester by ensuring they receive a present this year.

Essex Police is launching its Christmas giving tree initiative, calling on supporters to donate small gifts which officers can then pass on to those who who will benefit the most.

Superintendent Lily Benbow brought the initiative with her from London when she was instated as Tendring’s district commander last year.

She said: “We donated approximately 1,300 gifts to vulnerable children across Tendring.

“We were simply bowled over by the generosity of our community.

“Our colleagues in social care helped us select our most vulnerable children and, together, we co-ordinated delivery before Christmas.

“Our officers, staff and volunteers worked with partner agencies to shop for presents, allocate, wrap and deliver them.

“I even ended up cooking at a local Christmas party, which only happened because I was chatting with the chef while we wrapped gifts.”

She added: “Sadly, we can’t invite volunteers in to help our officers and staff to help us with the wrapping this year as, like everyone, we’ve had to adapt what we do.

“So we’ve gone online and created Amazon wish lists for each district so that you can still donate, although some of our police stations are open if you want to deliver in person.

“Even though 2020 has been tough year for all, we won’t be deterred from giving children who would otherwise have nothing, a gift at Christmas.”

The initiative is aimed at children up to the age of 16.

Colchester police station will be open to receive gifts for the children between 9am and 5pm, seven days a week. There are also drop-off points in Sainsbury’s at Tollgate, Stanway, and at Tesco stores in Greenstead Road and Highwoods.

To donate without leaving your home, find the Colchester Police Giving Tree wish list on Amazon.

Colchester’s acting district commander Jon Evans said: “This is an incredible project that is aimed at bringing the community of Colchester together to help our most vulnerable children, at a time when joy should be spread to everyone.

“We are already working very closely with our partner agencies and local businesses and are now asking members of our community to help out if you can by offering a small toy donation so we can, as a community, get as many presents to as many vulnerable children as possible in Colchester at Christmas.”

Donations will be collected until Saturday, December 19.