Bluewater’s Giving Tree, in conjunction with Heart Radio, provided 17,461 gifts this Christmas to disadvantaged children across Kent and the South East.

Bluewater encouraged guests to join in and celebrate the season of giving by taking part in the initiative in the run up to Christmas. Shoppers were invited to buy an extra gift and drop it to the  tree – the gifts were then all delivered to the children in time for Christmas Day.

Robert Goodman, General Manager at Bluewater, said: “We’re immensely proud to be part of the Giving Tree initiative and delighted that Bluewater guests have once again been so generous resulting in our biggest gifts donation to date. The presents bring festive cheer and make a real difference to the lives of children across the South East”.

Emma Liddiard, Managing Director at Global Kent, said: “Here at Heart we are so excited to see the Giving Tree continue to grow five years in. Whilst it is a ‘military operation’ which we start working on in the summer, every year delivers new and wonderful heart warming stories making the long hours worth it.  Everyone who takes part is an inspiration – the staff at Bluewater, JCB Group for providing a van, the generous shoppers and the charities we work with to get over 17,000 presents delivered before Christmas. This is an amazing project which we are proud to work on with Bluewater”.