This year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, support for the Toy Appeal is starting earlier due to the increased demand for support. Donations are even more vital than ever before in these challenging times.
Since its inception, 10 years ago, around 25,000 gifts have been donated to less-fortunate children, by kind-hearted Islanders.
Isle of Wight Radio has been involved from the very start and has witnessed first hand the incredible difference it has made to thousands of young lives on the Island.
Young carers, children in hospitals, families challenged by poverty and youngsters in care are among those who have benefited from the appeal.
Programme Director, Paul Topping, said:
“We know from our previous appeals what a huge difference an unexpected gift makes to the lives of less-fortunate children on the Isle of Wight and it means so much to have the amazing support of Islanders every time the Christmas Toy Appeal comes round.
“We know it’s a difficult time for so many people due to coronavirus, but every donation really has an impact. Last year was a record year for donations – and we’d love to top that, giving even more Isle of Wight children a reason to smile this Christmas.”
You can donate a new toy or gift suitable for a child aged 0-16 via an official drop-off point until December 12th (10 am deadline).
Donate new toys unwrapped to the value of £10, this may be a big ask for some people so instead, you might like to sign up to do a fundraiser and raise some money instead, which will then help buy toys to donate.
Fundraising ideas could include:
- A cake sale
- Coffee morning
- Sponsored silence
- Raffle
- Wear your Christmas Jumper to workday
- Beard shave
- Office collection/collection buckets
Every monetary donation counts and if it’s cash or an online donation, it is used to buy toys before they’re wrapped and handed out in time for Christmas.
Official Drop-Off Points:
- Isle of Wight Radio, Newport
- Morrisons, Newport
- The Entertainer, Newport
- Asda, Newport
- Toymaster, Shanklin
- Tesco, Ryde
- Toymaster, Shanklin
- West Wight Sports Centre, Freshwater
- Pocket Full of Pebbles, Cowes
All gifts will be wrapped by volunteers and delivered in time for Christmas!
It’s a local appeal, run by local people to benefit local children – and on behalf of all the local organisations you’ll be helping, thank you!
Every child deserves a Happy Christmas!
Maybe Mr Topping should put his hand in his pocket 1st. But he has a tendency to not be that generous, who remembers Solent TV, enough said!!!!
I thought Santa brought the toys
Don’t put it down guy’s this is a good cause especially in these troubled times.
Great idea but the article does not tell us where/how to make an online donation!