If you're able to give back to those less fortunate, there are plenty of ways to make a difference to someone's Christmas in Gloucestershire this year.
From stuffing shoeboxes for animals in need; recycling your Christmas tree; to buying Christmas gifts that give something back, SoGlos shares Christmas charity appeals to get involved with this festive season.
Play Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's Christmas raffle
With a jackpot of £3,000 up for grabs, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity's Christmas raffle gives entrants the chance to win cash prizes while supporting its vital service at one of its busiest times of year.
Each ticket costs just £1 and goes towards saving the lives of severely injured and critically ill patients in Gloucestershire – with tickets available to buy online.
Become a Friend of Westonbirt Arboretum
A thoughtful present for the nature lover in your life, a Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum membership gives the gift of free entry to Forestry England Westonbirt, The National Arboretum near Tetbury for a whole year – along with other benefits – from as little as £32.
The money raised from memberships supports the conservation of Westonbirt's world-leading botanical collection, not only keeping Gloucestershire's magical tree garden thriving, but protecting the future of trees across the globe for generations to come, too.
Donate festive food at Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral is collecting festive food for Gloucester Foodbank, with a donation point in the Nave until Thursday 18 December 2025.
Aiming to spread 'tidings of comfort and joy' to all this Christmas, generous visitors can donate anything from tinned meat, fish or veggies; cereal; biscuits and snacks; to toiletries – with a full list on Gloucester Cathedral and Gloucester Foodbank's websites.
Recycle your Christmas tree with Sue Ryder
When it's time to take the decorations down, Sue Ryder is collecting and recycling Christmas trees in selected GL postcodes, in exchange for charitable donations to support Gloucestershire's only in-patient palliative care unit, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.
Book a hassle-free Christmas tree collection by Tuesday 6 January 2026, to not only look after the environment by disposing of your tree in an environmentally way, but help Sue Ryder to continue providing free palliative and bereavement care for local people and their families. For more information, see Gloucestershire charity launches Christmas tree recycling scheme.
Donate to Gloucester Quays' toy appeal
Gloucester Quays is partnering with Pied Piper Appeal this Christmas, asking customers to donate a toy to make a difference to a child waking up in hospital on Christmas day.
Every gift, big or small, counts – and there's a dedicated donation point at Gloucester Quays, so if you can afford to pick up an extra gift while you're out Christmas shopping, it's easy to drop it off in the centre. Anyone wanting to donate can see Pied Piper Appeal's wishlist on the Gloucester Quays website.
Donate dinner and gifts to Cheltenham's homeless people
Cheltenham Open Door invites homeless people to its hub on Alstone Lane over Christmas, to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner and treats; enjoy games and entertainment; and receive a Christmas gift bag. They can also take advantage of hot showers with free toiletries and towels, get some new clothes, get a haircut and visit the chiropodist.
Anyone wanting to contribute can make a financial donation, donate to fill a gift bag, or donate some of the items on Cheltenham Open Door's festive food list, from cheese and crackers to Christmas puds – with the centre open from 10am to 3pm every day from Friday 19 until Friday 26 December 2025.
Create a shoebox for Gloucestershire's homeless dogs and cats
Gloucestershire animal charities, including Cheltenham Animal Shelter, Teckels Animal Sanctuary and the Cotswolds Dogs and Cats Home, run annual Christmas shoebox appeals, encouraging people to donate items for the dogs, cats and small pets in kennels, while they wait for their fur-ever homes.
Tough toys, training treats, collars and leads make great gifts for pooches in need; cats love to receive catnip, interactive toys and soft, fleecy blankets; while small pets will enjoy fresh hay, chewable toys and herbal treats. Essential items are listed on each charity's website.
Donate a gift to YMCA's 'Under the Tree' campaign
Providing gifts to children in emergency accomodation this Christmas, the YMCA is asking people who can to donate a gift so every child wakes up on Christmas morning with something under the tree.
It's been an unprecedented year for the YMCA, with the charity housing more people in its Gloucestershire accommodation than any time in its history. Anyone wanting to donate can buy a gift online from the charity's Amazon wish list; or visit one of The Cheltenham Trust's venues to grab a tag from the tree to see which gifts are needed, then drop off their donation at either the YMCA Cheltenham Sports Centre or St Michael's House in Gloucester.
Take part in the Gloucester Santa Fun Run
The Rotary Club of Gloucester hosts a Santa Fun Run every year to fundraise. There'll be hundreds of jolly Santas dashing through the streets of Gloucester on Saturday 13 December 2025 – and everyone's welcome to take part.
Pop on your Santa hat and choose from a one or five kilometre course – registration opens at 9.30am on the day and costs £6 for adults, £4 for under 16s and £20 for a team of four.
Collect items for CCP's Hamper Scamper
Caring for Communities and People hosts its annual Hamper Scamper every Christmas, to donate festive hampers full of food, treats and gifts to over 3,000 families in need.
With 12,500 items needed, CCP accepts donations of its 'festive five' food items, including selection boxes and biscuits; unwrapped gifts for children; or financial donations via its website.
Donate to the Festive Farmers Charity Tractor Run
Illuminating the streets of Cheltenham and the Cotswolds, the Festive Farmers Charity Tractor Run is back in 2025, collecting donations for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice and RABI – The Farmers Charity.
A procession of brightly lit and outlandishly decorated tractors will drive in convoy through Shipton, Withington, Andoversford, Charlton Kings, Prestbury and Cheltenham on Saturday 20 December 2025, spreading Christmas cheer for all to see and hear!
Fill a shoebox for homeless people in Gloucester
The team at Emmaus Gloucestershire are hoping to lift the spirits of homeless people in Gloucester this Christmas, by distributing shoeboxes full of gifts and treats, alongside its weekly soup run.
It's asking anyone able to donate a shoebox filled with items, including toiletries, hats and scarves, socks, mince pies, chocolate and sanitary products, to help bring cheer to homeless people throughout the festive season – with donations accepted at its shops in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Nailsworth and Stroud during opening hours.
