Solihull gift exchange brings joy to local schoolchildren

ExtraCare’s Solihull Village has been home to a gift giving Christmas tree this festive season.

The gift exchange crossed generations bringing retirement residents together with local school children. Residents took a present request tag written by a child from the tree and brought a gift for that child, they then received a Christmas card back from the school child.

Two classes of pupils from Haslucks Green Junior School were part of the exchange at the ExtraCare village which took place on Thursday 15th December.

Generous residents immediately snapped up the tags from the tree. Residents Lilian, Beryl and Winnifred were three of the 60 residents who took part in the event, they commented: “We love children, we love to see their little faces light up, that’s why we took part. The spirit of Christmas is to give, we’d always rather give than receive.”

Pupil Halle, 7, received a children’s jewellery set, she added: “This was one of my favourite parts of the day ever!”

Fellow classmate Matthew, 7, stated: “I got even more than I asked for it’s so great!”

The children performed three Christmas songs to the delight of the audience, and everyone came away full of festive spirit.