Brixton: 'Two days and no donations' - Christmas appeal Holly's Angels' desperate plea for food and gifts

A rallying cry to support a volunteer service's Christmas appeal has been shared more than a thousand times on social media after no donations were received at a food and gift hub in two days.

The team from Holly's Angels is all set up at Brixton House theatre to receive food, household items and gifts. People in need of a little support this Christmas will be able to collect items at the Festive Market at the theatre on Saturday (December 23), and other items will be distributed to local charities.

But on Wednesday morning, founder Holly Adomah reported on X that nothing had been received, saying: "So sorry, but we’ve been at @BrxHouseTheatre for 2 days & we’ve received no donations. This Sat, we’re meant to host a free Festive Market for people to collect items plus we’ll distribute some to local charities. If we don’t receive anything, it will be hard for us to help others."

Seven hours later, the post has been reposted more than 1.1k times and liked by hundreds of people, with replies from users pledging to donate - but more is still needed.

Launching the appeal this week, Holly said: “I am proud to be bringing Holly’s Angels back to Brixton House. The cost of living crisis continues to affect vulnerable people and some are having to face very difficult decisions on how to provide for themselves, families and or loved ones during the festive season.

"My volunteers and I will aim to minimise the stress for those who may need an extra bit of support, as we continue to allow for people to have agency without restrictions, but also to bring much needed festive cheer in what is supposed to be ‘the most wonderful time of the year.”

What to donate

• Festive themed non-perishable foods, snacks, and sweets.
• Non-perishable food, such as: long-life non-dairy milk (oat, soya, rice), pasta, rice, oats, tinned soup, beans and other pulses, lentils, cereals, etc.
• Pet food: food pouches for dogs, cats and smaller household pets, dried biscuits/food, and tins of pet food.
• Pet accessories, such as warm beds and blankets.
• Gift-wrapped toys for children (with a gift tag attached to notify what’s inside), such as books, colouring books and stationary, small toys, soft toys, board games.
• Gift-wrapped presents for adults (with a gift tag attached to notify what’s inside).
• Toiletries, such as deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, tooth paste, hand wipes, and children’s toiletries.
• Household items, such as laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, and washing up liquid.
• Sanitary towels and tampons.

How to donate

The Holly's Angels volunteers are on site collecting donations on Thursday and Friday (December 21-22) from 10am to 3pm. The address is Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, London, SW9 8GL.

Holly's Angels Festive Market

Holly's Angels Festive Market is on Saturday (December 23) from 11am to 5pm at Brixton House, formerly known as Ovalhouse.

The market will welcome community members, arts freelancers, and those in need this festive season to attend and collect free donations of their own choosing.

London charities

Holly’s Angels will also distribute donations to charities such as Moorlands Pantry - a community shop offering weekly choices of food at affordable prices - and the 999 Club, a charity supporting rough-sleepers based in Deptford.

Holly's Angels was launched in December 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns.

Since then it has helped more than 700 people and run hubs at Bush Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Park Theatre, and Theatre Deli.