The Christmas Toy Appeal, which is run by Southampton City Council and volunteers, is now in its 36th year, and I had the absolute pleasure of spending a morning helping out.
The annual drive for toy donations is now well under way and donations have poured in from across Southampton. But when the Toy Appeal is providing gifts for more than 7,000 young people all over the city, there is always a need for more.
The volunteers are led by Colin McPherson, a social worker with Southampton City Council. Colin has run the Toy Appeal for more than twenty years, and his dedication to helping and supporting young people has been unwavering. There are so many children who wake up on Christmas Day with a present to open and that’s because of him, and everyone who volunteers and donates.
There’s still time to give, and the appeal is especially looking for gifts for older children and teenagers. Remember, new toys only please! All the toys and gifts are for children or young people whose families are struggling this Christmas, including over 200 families currently living in temporary accommodation. Gifts can be donated at a selection of drop-off points across the city, including West Quay and our city’s libraries.
Please donate if you can, it makes an enormous difference to these youngsters, as a gift from the toy appeal might be the only present they get this year. Every year people give so generously, and it’s this sort of unbeatable community spirit that makes me so proud to be from Southampton.
Head to Support the Southampton Toy Appeal for more info. Donations are being accepted until the 20th of December.