Newark woman creates non-profit association – Gifts from Fairies – to give presents to children in need across the country

A single mum has created a non-profit organisation that is flying across the country with gifts for children in need.

Emma Shipstone, who started Gifts from Fairies in January this year, has so far sent 189 gifts across the UK.

The project aims to spread a little joy to children in need by sending them gift boxes of clothes, shoes, toys and books that are in good condition.

“I had so much stuff that my little boy grew out of or hadn't played with and I wanted to do something,” said Emma, mum to a three-year-old boy.

“I didn’t want to just give it to a friend of a charity shop, I wanted to do more than that.”

With 28 years of experience in post-16 education in apprenticeship, Emma decided to start a new business.

She gathered her mother’s network and appealed for anything they could donate.

“Before I knew it, I had a room full. I reached out to companies and old colleagues and started working in collaboration with charities,” she said.

“I want it to be about giving to people who can’t afford to. We’re teaching a generation through gifts and teaching our children to not throw things away if someone else could use them.”

Donations can be made directly to Emma or a dropoff can be done at Beanblock Cafe, Newark.

A JustGiving page has achieved £701 from its target of £1,500 in raising money to provide present boxes for birthdays, Christmas and special occasions.

Donations can be through https://urlis.net/u47z8d29 or contact Emma by email emma@giftsfromfairies.com or on Gifts from Fairies Ltd Facebook and Instagram.

“The generosity of people is mind-blowing, this came from a little idea of wanting to do something with stuff I had and now it resonates with so many people.

“It makes people feel good as well, it makes me happy, it makes other people happy and if we could do that the world would be a nicer place.”