Though it's true origins are unknown, Boxing Day, a Public Holiday celebrated on the 26th December, has many legands. But I rather like the version a friend told me many years ago. In Victorian times, it was traditional for wealthy familles, the day after Christmas Day, to pick out toys their children had grown out of, no longer played with, or were willing to part with and have their servants pack them, along with other things, such as food and clothing, into 'Boxes' and give them to the local orphanages or poor houses.

Now, the friend who'd first told me of this wonderful tradition was not at all wealthy. But every Boxing Day morning, she and her husband would help their children pick out and wrap some toys, and then the whole family would spend an hour or two at their local hospital. They'd say "Happy Christmas" and give a present to each child who had been too ill to go home for the Holiday, .

This had touched my heart on many levels. It was an excellent way to teach children, and remind we adults, the real meaning of the Season. Christmas should never be about 'What am I getting?' but always about 'What can I give?'. And it brought to mind the many kindnesses, and wonders I experienced at the hands of strangers..

Christmas in Hospital: I remember, with great fondness and pleasure, the two Christmas' I'd spent in Hospital as an 11 and 12 year old. Memories of the surprise visits from celebrities and families like my friend and her husband will never fade, because many of us would have had nothing if it wasn't for their thoughtfulness, and that of the Hospital Staff.

Christmas at School: I remember with such pleasure, the kindnesses shown to us each year... Our school was out in the country side and had once been the Stately Home, of Sir and Lady Barclay, and their two daughters, Elisabeth and Margaret. Now, before I was born, there had been a school for disabled children in the centre of Manchester. A huge city, with lots of industry and an airport but during the Second World War, a rather dangerous place to be! And so, to save the children from Hitler's bombs, the Barclays donated their house and grounds to the City of Manchester for the disabled children to live in safety. It was given freely and forever, in honour of their poor daughter Margaret who sadly had suffered with heart disease and our school was named in her honour 'The Margaret Barclay School'. It was lovely and, when it was my great fortune to live there, it was still unspoiled in it's splendor.. Of course, some parts had been added and others restructured - but 'The Old Wing' was still as it had been - The long tree-lined drive-way along which Horse-drawn Carriages would have swept up to the House, and the grounds, were truly magnificent..

One of my favourite events was the magical day of 'Tree Day', when the Students from Manchester University would spend a whole day with us before we broke up for the school Holidays.

I recall the huge Christmas Tree (from which 'Student's Day' was affectionately named) and the loving care those Student must have put into each moment of the day. For example, anyone in a wheelchair would not get a gift of skipping ropes or a pair of roller skates *grin*. The whole day was wonderful, but if I had to choose my two favourite moments, they would have to be 'The Cake' and 'The Visit'.

The Cake was a spectacular affair - the likes of which I'd never seen before or since. One year it took two people to carry it round so we could all get a close look at it in detail. The one I recall with most admiration was a snow scene of a Canadian Village. This particular Cake had Log Cabins, Children playing, Men cutting logs, women standing in the doorways. Lots of green trees laden with snow.. But most amazing of all (and I promise you, I asked EVERY year to make sure) every part was edible!!

The Visit was something very few people have ever had the good fortune to experience, and it always seemed to happen towards the end of 'Tree Day'. The Students always planned some activity that necessitated us being in the school hall - from where, if one was clever enough to be placed near the windows, one could see all the way down the tree-lined drive. One year I recall they showed us the Disney Classic 'Lady And The Tramp' another year, 'Snow White' another year a marvelous stage production of 'The Tales Of Hans Christian Anderson'. The actors kept stepping down off the stage and walking amongst us singing - I can still remember every single song today.. But alas, as dusk began to fall, whatever wonders the Students had planned for us, were somehow not quite as interesting as the windows. Then, the moment we'd all hoped for. Someone (the most observant or luckiest) would shout. "Look!! It's Father Christmas!!"

I cannot begin to describe that magical moment... But sure enough, there, through the bare trees, one could see a sleigh and flashes of red as the sleigh swept past the trees as it drew closer up the drive, and there he'd be. Huge, fat-tummied, jolly and so kindly looking. He'd pick up his huge sacks, sling one over each shoulder, and with 60 or so children hardly even daring to blink or breathe in case he disappeared, in he'd stride, and boom, "Hello, Children!"

I tell you, even the children whose disabilities prevented them from talking seemed to, in their own way, magically be able to join in the reply "Hello, Father Christmas!"

And you know what? Though we all knew how busy he was, and how many children he had to visit each year - to our amazement and delight, he remembered every one of us. Matron would be his 'helper' and as he'd pick out a Present from the huge sack, he'd shout a name... "Susan!" and as he came to give you your present he would say something like. "Goodness, haven't you grown!" or "I hear you were very brave when you had your operation.. Good Girl!" And though after it was all over, we would talk over every second of that day, not one of us recalled writing him a letter - yet he knew EXACTLY what we'd been doing and what each of us had wanted!

Now, I can assure you it's many a long year since I left school, yet those memories of Tree Day, and the wonderful Students who had planned the ocassion with such care. are still a pleasure and a joy for me today - So you see, it's not necessary to do much, any kindness shown to a child can stay with them their whole lives through. (^o^)

Anyone in Britain can request their employer to deduct One Hour's pay to be sent directly to The Millennium Children's Promise Appeal, or donate it themselves at any Marks And Spencer's store.

For those who are not working or live outside Britain, you can make your cheque, postal order or international money order payable to: Children's Promise then send it to:

Children's Promise,
Bristol,
BS38 7ER,
England.

For more information or to obtain leaflets, posters and employers' instruction packs for the Children's Promise Millennium Appeal, please call:

Telephone: 0870 607 1999
E-Mail: children.promise@newmill.co.uk

The Millennium Experience
Email: nmec.nw@newmill.co.uk

Or contact Richard Sharples on:

Tel: 0161 236 0866
Email: rsharples@newmill.co.uk

If you have any stories that you would like to share with the world, to illustrates how a little kindness can make a difference, please feel free to E-Mail me and I'll add them with the greatest of pleasure.

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This Page was 'born' on 21st October, 1999
Last updated on 7th November, 1999