For most children, opening the first door of an advent calendar is one of the small joys of December. For some families in and around Sevenoaks, even that is out of reach this year.
That’s why our Christmas appeal in Sevenoaks is back, and this year it’s simpler than ever. We’re collecting chocolate boxes and advent calendars for local children, and we’d love you to join us.
Who we’re helping
Friends for Families is a small charity working in the Sevenoaks area to help families facing financial hardship.
It gives direct, practical help to families referred by Children’s Services: help that can’t be provided by central or local government. Once a referral comes in, the charity steps in to fill that gap, with everything from food and clothing to beds and school uniforms.
The need is real. Friends for Families says it spent more than £96,000 on direct support in the year to 31 March 2026, with nearly half of that going on food.
As the charity puts it, “Any family can fall on hard times and find it difficult to manage.”
A Christmas tradition we’re proud of
This isn’t the first time our clients have come together for local families.
In previous years, we collected new board games with the help of our clients and Chipstead FC. Last year, we put together Christmas food bags worth £20 each. Every time, your generosity has made a real difference.
This year: something sweet for every child
This year, we’re keeping it simple. We’d like to give every child supported by Friends for Families a chocolate box, an advent calendar, or both.
Any of these would be perfect:
- Chocolate boxes and tubs: Cadbury Heroes (a favourite with the charity), Celebrations, Quality Street or Cadbury Roses
- Children’s advent calendars: Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milkybar, Kinder or Smarties
- Dairy free options: such as Moo Free advent calendars and selection boxes
Friends for Families checks allergies for every family it supports, so you don’t need to worry about choosing the “right” brand. We just ask for three things:
- Nothing containing alcohol, such as liqueur chocolates
- A best before date after Christmas
- Please leave gifts unwrapped, so the charity can check the ingredients
How to give
There are two easy ways to take part, and both close on Friday 20 November. That gives the charity time to get advent calendars to families before 1 December.
- Drop off at our office. Bring your chocolate box or advent calendar to Citrus Financial at Watermill House between 9am and 5pm.
- Order online from our Amazon wish list. Choose a gift from our Christmas appeal wish list and it will be delivered straight to our office. Add a gift note with your name if you’d like us to know it came from you.
Thank you
A box of chocolates or an advent calendar might seem like a small thing. For a child whose family is struggling, it can make Christmas feel like Christmas again.
Thank you, from all of us at Citrus Financial, for helping us make that happen.
Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited. 27/10/2026
