A community-driven Christmas Toy Appeal is once again aiming to bring festive cheer to children in need.
Started ten years ago in Pinner, the initiative has been collecting and distributing toys to children who may not otherwise receive a festive treat.
The appeal, run by the now-Ruislip resident Babs Rock, gathers new toys from the local school community and donates them to children in care, women’s refuges, hospitals, and young carers.
“Dear family, friends and neighbours, 10 years ago I decided to collect some new toys from my children’s school community and donate them to children who may not receive a festive treat. Every year we have donated between 500-1000 gifts to kids in care, women’s refuge centres, kids in hospital and kids that are carers for their adults,” she shared.
The initiative has distributed between 500-1000 gifts each year. This year, being the tenth anniversary, Babs aims to exceed the 1,000-gift mark.
Supporters are encouraged to help in various ways:
1. Buy a gift through the Amazon wish list (link available soon).
2. Join a wrapping and sorting morning, with mince pies for volunteers.
3. Donate a Santa suit for the appeal, if available.
4. Share the appeal with schools, scout groups, cadet groups, workplaces, gyms, and other networks.
Expressing her gratitude for the support received, she added, “The kindness of you all has been mind blowing. As it is our 10 year anniversary, I would like to go BIG! Can we achieve over 1000 gifts? I think we can!”
Babs summed up the community’s impact over the past decade: “The last ten years we have gifted over 5000 gifts to local children who may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas. I have been blown away by the kindness of my wonderful community.”
For those interested, the Amazon wish list QR code (above) can be used to donate a gift directly to the appeal.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
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