Last year, 277 families sought the help of the Christmas Angels to be able to celebrate a good Christmas.
So far this year, 280 families have turned to the aid organization, which is administered by the Church of Sweden, and then there is still a whole week of application time left.
- It is clear that it is worrying.
We notice the need otherwise as well, not only through the Christmas Angels but in the congregations in general.
There are more people who come and ask for help with grocery bags and the like, says Bibbi Selldén who is a deacon at Västerstrand Church.
Hard to collect this year
There are a total of 650 children in the families who have applied for assistance so far this year.
- We have to make the best of it because we do not know how much money we will get in and with it what the distribution will look like, says Bibbi Selldén.
The Christmas Angels' aid activities are based on companies and private individuals donating money or gift cards to the organization, which in turn distributes to the needy.
But this year it has been more difficult than usual to raise money.
- On Friday, we had received around SEK 380,000, so there is a bit left to last year's SEK 615,000.
But we think we will reach the same level this year as well.
But there are more applicants as well, so it is unclear what level the help will end up at, says Carin Hansdotter who works to raise money for the Christmas Angels.
In the video above, Bibbi Selldén explains why it has become more difficult to raise money and why the need for help has increased.