Adopted brothers bring festive cheer to others with donation

Two adopted brothers have decided to go without presents this year, instead donating them to children in need in Wolverhampton.

The boys aged eight and four and both adopted via adoption agency for the Black Country, Adoption@Heart, came up with the idea after hearing about how many children would normally go without presents over the festive period.

They said: “We are lucky as we have so many toys, and we want to make other children smile too, especially at Christmas.”

The boys’ mother, who did not want to be named, was touched by their generosity, and instantly got in touch with their social worker at Adoption@Heart to see how they could go about coordinating this. When they spoke to their friends about the children’s offer, they too decided to get involved, and three families managed to provide close to 100 presents for children across Wolverhampton.

She said: “We are fortunate to be in a position where we are comfortable with finances. Over the last 18 months all the parents that donated have seen first-hand the financial situation that many families are going through.

“Being blessed with everything we have, we wanted to be able to support such families who have not been so fortunate.

“Equally, we all wanted to install these values with our boys. To be grateful for what they have, to be charitable, to look after those more in need and to share.”

The gifts have been donated to Graiseley Strengthening Families Hub, which is coordinating a donation drive this Christmas for children in need and refugee families who have recently arrived in the city.

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “It has been a very hard year for some of the families that our Strengthening Families Service has been working with.

“This simple act of kindness will make all the difference to our children in need, not just because of the gift in and of itself which I'm sure they will love, but because of the selfless nature of the young people and families who are donating gifts, they will know that someone cares.

“I would like to take this opportunity to send them a heartfelt thank you from all at our Strengthening Families Service.”

The family decided to start their adoption journey eight years ago after being unable to have children.

She said: “The adoption process was smooth, and we never really had any issues. In fact, we just saw our social worker as a friend coming round for a chat and a cup of tea.

“We adopted our eldest when he was eight months old, and never planned on having a second child. However, as he got older, we could see when we took him out, he would be playing on his own.

“We then decided on a sibling for him, and his brother joined our family when he was seven months old.

“They together are so close, and absolutely love each other to bits. It’s the best thing we ever did, giving us our perfect family. They have their own bedrooms but still insist on sleeping together. Practically, we also felt it would be good for both to support one another when they are older and start asking those difficult questions.”

Adoption@Heart is the Regional Adoption Agency for the Black Country, providing adoption services for City of Wolverhampton Council, Walsall Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Sandwell Children’s Trust.

Anyone can adopt, whether they are single, living together, married, a same sex couple, in employment or not working, or already have children or not. Potential adopters must legally be a UK resident and have been so for at least 12 months, as well as being aged 21 or over. They should be able to provide a stable home for a child until adulthood and beyond.

Adoption@Heart is currently holding virtual information events online every fortnight. They are the perfect place for those who are ready to start their adoption journey or would like more information. Details of future events are available at www.adoptionatheart.org.uk. For further information, call 01902 553818 or email info@adoptionatheart.org.uk.

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