'A fitting tribute': Target met for toy appeal named after charity founder

The 2021 campaign, run by charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA) in conjunction with the Recorder and supported by Community Links, was renamed in memory of Kevin Jenkins OBE.

Kevin, who died in April, founded AAA in 2016 and co-founded Community Links as a teenager in 1977, as well as spending 28 years as a Newham councillor.

AAA trustee and former Recorder editor Colin Grainger described the success of this year's appeal as a "fitting tribute".

The Christmas Toy Appeal founder Kevin Jenkins. (Image: AAA)

Kevin's wife and appeal organiser Paula Blake said: “We want to thank everyone who has donated and who has volunteered to make this possible.

"We also thank everyone for making a difference enabling each child referred to the appeal this year to wake up on Christmas morning to a stocking of gifts and a real Christmas Day in this the most difficult of all years.”

The Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal aims to help as many young people as possible. (Image: AAA)

Support for the appeal has continued to come in, with a church and school among the latest donors to get involved.

Rev Cornelius Henry presented gifts from those at St Saviour’s Church in Forest Gate.

Staff, pupils and parents from Eastlea School in Canning Town also contributed a food hamper and toys for the appeal.

Rev Cornelius Henry handed over gifts from St Saviour’s Church in Forest Gate. (Image: AAA)

Teacher Helena Loizou and colleague Cyrus Hyman handed the presents over to AAA.

Both the school and church have been regular givers over many years, the charity said.

Staff from Eastlea School delivered donations towards the appeal (Image: AAA)

Its chief executive Jonny Boux travelled to Waterloo to receive a cheque for £1,000 from corporate supporter Linkcity.

He thanked donors and the volunteers "who have ensured that the gifts donated have been checked, sorted and distributed to the children.”

The toy appeal warehouse is donated each year by John Murphy, managing director of Quattro Plant Hire in Canning Road, West Ham.

AAA chief executive Jonny Boux is given a donation by Linkcity (Image: AAA)

Volunteers who helped there this week included those from construction company Mace.

They were supported by teams from Lego and Axis Bank and by the management team at Gallions Reach Shopping Park, as well as helpers from investment company Janus Henderson.