For the first year in its 29 year history, the number of children to receive gifts from the Mayor’s Toy Appeal has risen to over 500, with each child in the appeal receiving three major presents, as well as some smaller stocking fillers.
Generosity
The Mayor’s Toy Appeal encourages residents to buy toys for children and teenagers, which can be donated at various drop-off points around the borough. From there, Toy Appeal volunteers take them to their base at the Big Yellow Self Storage centre in Longfield Road for sorting before delivery.
The campaign, fronted by Mayor Len Horwood, started in early November and has seen thousands of toys donated.
“I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people in response to the Mayor’s Toy Appeal. In particular, I have been delighted to receive donations from so many children who have wanted to make Christmas better for children less fortunate than themselves,” Cllr Len Horwood told the Times earlier this week.
He went on to thank Royal Victoria Place and Big Yellow Storage for their help, as well as toy appeal organiser, Karen Collins.
“There have been thousands of toys donated this year – far too many to count,” said Mrs Collins. “We now have 520 children, so year on year it continues to get bigger and bigger.”
The appeal has now closed for the year.
