TO illustrate the size of the task facing us in our Christmas Toy Appeal, this is the huge empty room in the warehouse we need to fill with thousands of toys.
Our brilliant supporters at Quattro Plant Hire let us use their premises every year to store and then sort and put together gifts for youngsters who would otherwise go without.
The room currently stands empty but we desperately need to fill it with gifts – and quickly – so that no child goes without in Newham this year.
READ MORE: First donations made to Newham Christmas toy appeal 2022
Toys are still trickling in and events are being planned to raise money which will be turned into gifts immediately.
But we need your help – and we need it now.
The appeal aims to provide each young person referred to the appeal with a Christmas stocking of new gifts specific to their age, needs and abilities to open on Christmas morning.
To help ensure that the gifts donated make the greatest difference for those receiving them, we hope the following guidelines will be helpful.
The appeal helps young people from two months to 16 years old. Please try to purchase gifts that have both a play and educational value. Please no toys, books and games that promote war and/or violence. Purchase gifts that have the Lion Mark CE accreditation on them, which indicates that the item concerned is child friendly and safe for use by young people within the specific age range given.
READ MORE: Jam-packed fundraising events schedule for Newham Christmas toy appeal
Best Gifts include: First toys – for the new born to three years i.e. rattles, rollers etc; early years toys (three to five-year-olds) i.e. shape sorters, push/pull toys, building blocks etc.
Other gifts: annuals; musical Instruments; story books (all ages); dolls and accessories; boxed games (all ages); Lego and Duplo sets; construction sets; cars and car sets (all ages) ; jigsaws (all ages); model kits (all ages); footballs; CDs – hit compilations; DVDs i.e. Disney, young people focused; £5 or £10 fashion or sports vouchers. Tea sets, shop sets etc; writing sets, colouring pencils, craft sets, etc; Teddy bears/soft toys – all ages.
Anyone who would like to get involved can drop off new toys at the Terence Brown Arc in the Park hub in Bethell Avenue, Canning Town, from 9am until 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and between 10am and 2pm on Saturdays.
Alternatively, buy a gift on AAA's Amazon wish list at http://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3GHSM2AO5OPZQ, which has been curated to be suitable for those recieving donations.
People can also donate money on a JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/KevinJenkinsChristmasAppeal2022.
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