Liverpool coffee shop Fika is collecting Christmas presents for kids who’d go without

South Liverpool coffee shop Fika has launched its Christmas appeal again, collecting presents for kids in the city who would otherwise go without.

Owner Anthony Grice has been running Fika Operation Christmas since the shop on Woolton Road opened seven years ago.

In the two weeks leading up to the big day he takes donations of new unopened and unwrapped toys, selection boxes, gift sets and toiletries for children then distributes them across Liverpool with the help of a team of volunteers.

Around half of what’s collected goes to women and children staying in emergency accommodation at a hostel and safe house, and the other half is given to individual families who are struggling.

Anthony says the generosity of supporters means they’re able to make sure around 140 kids have something special to open on Christmas morning.

He explains:

“I’ve done a Christmas collection for 10 years in other businesses, and this will be year seven here. 

“I think it really exploded in the pandemic year, it went to another level because a lot more people were struggling, and it’s kept on going really well since.

“We support women and children who are homeless for a variety of reasons, they could have been domestically abused, had house fires, or they just couldn’t afford to live in their home anymore.

“The hostel sends us a list when they know what kids are going to be there on Christmas Day, usually it’s about 70, and I also have families who contact me who live in and around the city and are going through a hard time financially. 

“They get in touch and ask if there’s any chance they could have a few bits and I don’t say no to anyone.”

The appeal is for young people up to age 16, and Anthony says it’s gifts for older children which are often the most needed.

“We tend to get overwhelmed with things for smaller kids which is great, but less for teenagers, so when people ask what age we really need I always say 13-16 for boys and girls.

“We start taking donations in the shop from Monday December 2 until December 18 and people are incredibly kind so as soon as we say we’re doing it again they come in straight away. 

“Even after just two days we’ve got quite a lot already and a couple of businesses have said they’re doing collections for us as well, so it’s just great, everyone comes together and I know it all stays in the city.”

When collecting ends, Fika has lots of volunteers who offer to help sort the toys and gifts and take them to the hostel and to people’s houses, at nighttime so kids are in bed and don’t spot the delivery.

“I’ve seen the conditions some of the families are living in and it’s heartbreaking,” adds Anthony. “Those people are asking for help because they’re really struggling to get by and they’re so appreciative of anything we can do. 

“We put a Just Giving page up too because we’ve got quite a big following on social who aren’t even from Liverpool but still want to get involved. Towards the end of the appeal I’ll see if we’ve got gaps for a particular age and we’ll go out and buy whatever we’re short of with those extra donations to make sure everyone is filled.”

Find out more about Fika’s Christmas Campaign here.

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