Can you help bring festive cheer to a child’s Christmas Day? The Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal has returned for 2024 with members of the public asked to take on the role of Santa by donating toys worth £10 or more for thousands of less-fortunate children across the Island.
Commencing on Monday 11th November, the Toy Appeal will run until Sunday 8th December.
Up to 3,000 children every year benefit from the appeal, which is supported by sponsors Red Funnel. It all means that in little over a decade an astonishing 37,000 gifts have been donated by generous Islanders through the campaign.
Those who benefit from the appeal include young carers, children in hospital, sick youngsters, bereaved children or those challenged by poverty and housing problems.
Claire John, Managing Director at Isle of Wight Radio, said:
“We are delighted to bring the Toy Appeal back for 2024.
“The cost-of-living crisis is never more prevalent than during the festive period, and it’s testament to the generosity of our Island community that we have seen such an outpouring of kindness during our previous appeals.
“Last year saw a remarkable number of donations — and we’d love to do even better this time round and bring some smiles to faces this Christmas.”
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Speaking about being the lead sponsor for The Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal, Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said:
“Helping to make sure every child on the Island has a magical and special Christmas is really important to us, and we’re delighted to be supporting the Isle of Wight Radio Toy Appeal again to make this a reality.
“We’d like to share a big thank you to all those within our Island community, who donated and supported this cause, which is such a worthy community event.”
How you can donate or get involved
As well as donating toys to the appeal there are a number of other ways to fundraise for the cause. A carol concert? A school Christmas jumper day? Every donation counts.
The Toy Appeal is seeking new toys suitable for children aged 0-16. They can be donated at official drop-off points. These include:
• Isle of Wight Radio
• Tesco, Ryde
• Waitrose, East Cowes
• Morrisons, Newport
• The Entertainer, Newport
• Asda, Newport
• Red Funnel (Red Jet Terminal)
• Red Funnel (East Cowes Terminal)
• Pocket Full of Pebbles (Cowes)
• The School Shop (Ryde)
• Home Bargains (Newport)
• West Wight Sports Centre
• Choice Carpets, Lake
Great cause, we are in tough economic times
let’s hope those who can afford to help
do so.