The Catholic prisons charity Pact says it is not too early to think about Christmas for those able to support prisoners by giving Christmas gifts to their children.
Parishes in England and Wales are currently responding to Pact’s Operation Elf appeal. “This is about more than something to open on Christmas day,” says Pact, the Prison Advice and Care Trust, “it’s about how we support people in prison to be good parents, keep the family bonds intact, and live better lives – and it’s about how we ensure children know that they are loved by a parent, even if they are in a prison cell on Christmas Day.”
Bishop Richard Moth, the Bishop for Prisons, supports the initiative. He has said that taking part in Operation Elf is about “sharing a little love and joy and strengthening the family bond. This simple act can nurture the hope that redemption and a fresh start is possible.”
Operation Elf asks people to donate £10 gift cards which prisoners can then give to their children. A strong theme in Pact’s year-round work with prisoners and their families is to help nurture vitally important family relationships – which mean that prisoners are nearly 40 percent less likely to re-offend after release. Individuals can also support the appeal.
The appeal states: “Operation Elf is Pact’s annual campaign supporting prisoners to give a Christmas gift to their child. With your help, we can make the festive period a littler brighter for families across England and Wales.
“Every year more than 200,000 children experience the distress and heartache of having a parent in prison. Christmas can be a particularly painful time, but with your help we can make a big difference.
“This year, by purchasing an extra gift card during your Christmas shop, we can make sure a prisoner can give a gift to their child to buy something they really want.”
In Sacred Heart parish in Sunningdale, Berkshire, parishioners are hearing about Operation Elf over two Sundays and have already committed generous funds. In Coventry, the (Anglican) Mothers’ Union have partnered with Pact staff in their local prison HMP Onley, to put Operation Elf into action there. Staff at Vaughan House, the offices of Westminster Diocese and of Caritas Westminster are taking part. Chaplaincy teams in at least two schools in Southwark Diocese are fundraising creatively.
Loading ...
