Christmas is a time for family and celebration. 

It’s also a time when images of traditional families across advertising, the media and in popular culture can be impossible to escape. 

But families come in different shapes and sizes, and Gingerbread, the charity supporting single parent families, are highlighting this on Giving Tuesday.

On December 3^rd, the charity will be promoting a campaign on behalf of the almost two million single parent families across the UK who often don’t see themselves represented in the usual festive imagery at this time of year.

Daniel David, Fundraising Officer at Gingerbread, said: “Many single parents rely on Gingerbread for much needed support, advice and information to help them navigate the often complex issues that impact their families. 

“We know from the parents we talk to that the popular image of families at Christmas really isn’t everyone’s reality. 

“Far from being ‘merry and bright’, the festive season can instead bring extra pressures for many single parents who might be struggling with the financial pressures of buying presents on top of paying for day-to-day essentials like food and heating bills.

“Some may be worried about finding affordable childcare over the holidays, while others may be dealing with feelings of loneliness or the stigma often attached to being a single parent.

“This year, we wanted to find a way to capture this through our Christmas giving campaign – to help all families feel represented and to celebrate the diversity of families across the UK. 

“So we invited the children of single parents to design festive e-cards for Gingerbread that our supporters can share far and wide to show their support for single parent families this Christmas.”

Gingerbread has shortlisted five of the designs to feature in their Christmas giving campaign, and the five talented young designers have been awarded shopping vouchers for their artistic contributions. 

With the excesses of the Christmas shopping season in full swing, Gingerbread will be encouraging supporters to support single parent families on Giving Tuesday by sharing their special festive e-cards. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Supporters can choose the amount they wish to donate towards the ‘cost’ of the cards, with all money raised going to support more single parent families to access Gingerbread’s vital support, advice and information services.

Daniel added: “Our objectives are two-fold – we want to raise funds that will enable more single parent families to access Gingerbread’s services when they need them most, and we also want to celebrate the many wonderful single parents across the UK who are working hard to make Christmas and the festive season magical for their families.”

“Giving Tuesday gives us the chance to reach more people.”

Show your support for single parent families by sharing a Gingerbread festive e-card at www.dontsendmeacard.com/ecard/RkVr or simply donate via https://gingerbread.charitycheckout.co.uk/cf/givingtuesday.