THEY have endured a series of struggles in their short lives. But Christmas has come early for children being supported by the Home-Start charity, who have suffered difficulties including family illness or bereavement.
Yesterday, at the charity's annual party for children in Hull, staff from the Mail gave out cuddly toys as Christmas presents.
Gemma Hornby, marketing executive for the Mail, handed out teddies to toddlers during the party at Centre 88 in Saner Street, west Hull.
Miss Hornby said: "We're doing this as a nice gesture and it's our gift to the community."
Home-Start is a national organisation that supports parents of young children who are dealing with difficulties in their lives.
Caroline Watson, senior organiser of Home- Start's local branch, said: "Home-Start in Hull has been running for 33 years and this is our annual Christmas party for children who aren't in school."
Almost 40 children were at the party, which had a disco, a puppet show and a dance competition.
Ms Watson, 37, said the charity supports any family in Hull with children under the age of five. Volunteers with parenting experience visit families once a week to offer help and support.
She said: "We will help anybody, including disabled parents or parents with disabled children and parents with multiple births.
"We get people from all walks of life and we match families with volunteers they will get on with."
The registered charity has supported almost 150 families in Hull in the past year.
Full-time mum Nicola O'Reilly, 41, attended the Christmas party with her two-year-old son, Ethan.
She said: "Home-Start is great and it's really helpful.
"It has helped me with my confidence because there was a point where I was not going out at all."
Ms O'Reilly has a volunteer who visits her flat in Beverley Road.
She said: "Ethan has a few health problems, so the party has been a bit overwhelming."
Mother-of-two Nina Chapman has been volunteering for Home-Start for almost two years.
The 35-year-old, of Hedon, said: "Home-Start gives parents a bit more confidence as parents.
"As volunteers, we are there to give them extra support and to help anyone we can.
"I have two children, aged five and nine, so I'm well aware of how stressful it can be.
"The children here today love the party and they haven't even eaten yet."
Bridget Marvin, 42, of east Hull, has been a Home-Start organiser for seven years.
She said: "We have a Christmas party every year to make sure all the children get to see Santa Claus and can get something for Christmas.
"Some of the families we work with can become isolated and this might be the only time they see other parents."
Full-time mother Karen Weston, 40, of west Hull, was at the party with her 18-month-old nephew Jacob and her six-month-old daughter Sienna.
She said: "They are loving the party, there's music and dancing.
"There was a puppet show and they are seeing Father Christmas soon."
Home-Start sends a volunteer to help her look after her daughter.
She said: "When I first had Sienna, I felt a bit isolated, so the volunteer makes it easier to do things and she is good company as well."
Home-Start runs more services and has more volunteers than any other family support charity in the country, but is still trying to recruit more volunteers.
The charity supports parents, including those who suffer from post-natal illness, are disabled or isolated and have suffered a bereavement.
They are looking for parents or people who have looked after children to volunteer for two or three hours a week.
Call 01482 324063 to volunteer, or to find out more.
