Cadets wrap Christmas presents for children from deprived areas of Nottingham

Almost 2,000 Christmas presents have been wrapped for some of Nottingham’s most deserving children by Volunteer Police Cadets.

The force’s cadet groups in Bulwell, Bestwood, Hyson Green, Mansfield and Force Headquarters each spent a session during December wrapping presents and preparing gift packages for Bags of Blessings.

The charity supports young people across Nottingham to improve their lives and combat poverty by collecting and distributing donated gifts to children aged 16 and under who may not otherwise receive a present at Christmas.

Volunteers from the charity attended the cadet sessions and together the cadets and cadet leaders helped to prepare Christmas bags by wrapping gifts.

Across the five bases, the cadets worked in teams to wrap as many presents as possible totalling 445 bags, each containing at least three gifts.

In total, 1,780 presents were wrapped by the cadets, which this year accounts for almost a quarter of the charity’s output over the festive period.

Volunteer Police Cadets is the nationally recognised police uniformed youth group in England and Wales.

It offers young people a programme of police and skill-based activities and sessions, including a mixture of internal and external guest speakers and visits.

Bags of Blessings, which is based in Daybrook, provides donation boxes to schools, churches, and businesses to collect small toys, games, toiletries, and warm clothes.

Donations are sorted into age groups, wrapped, placed into a drawstring bag, and then distributed through food banks, homeless and refugee charities, and other organisations that support children from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Sergeant Vanessa Wake, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Prevention Hub, said: “All of our cadet bases have done a wonderful job wrapping presents and preparing gifts for children from areas of deprivation.

“It’s really pleasing to see the teamwork, enthusiasm and commitment from these young people and the charity volunteers have spoken positively about the impact of their efforts.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Bags of Blessings for working alongside our cadet bases and their support.”

Chris Shuter, Bags of Blessings co-founder, said: “This year the cadets have gone above and beyond with the quantity of bags completed and the quality of their wrapping.

“They fully understand the brief now and take great pride in wrapping the parcels, knowing that in some cases these are the only gifts that some children will receive at Christmas.  

“Our partnership goes from strength to strength as we forge a relationship with these remarkable young people.”