Hundreds of toys gifted for appeal

Driving to Folkestone and back twice is among the fantastic efforts from our amazing readers in helping those less fortunate have a Christmas to remember.

The Spalding and South Holland Voice teamed up with We’ll Let Your House director Harry Drury to launch the Give A Gift appeal and since then readers have been leaving gifts at drop-off points across the district.

Sam Morgan, Chris Edwards, Megan Edwards and Liz Taylor drop off a car full of presents to The Voice’s offices.

These include Spalding Sainsbury’s who have already had a number of toys gifted for the appeal.

One of the many who has donated items is Chris Edwards of Toys Wanted who saw online a host of items being offered after the closure of a toy shop several years ago.

The fact they were in Folkestone didn’t deter him from picking them up for the appeal with help from his family including granddaughter Frankie Morgan (2).
Spalding couple Kevin and Amanda Smith also popped in with a generous donation of toys they brought.

“We don’t have children or grandchildren, so this is what we would spend on them if we did have,” they said having also dropped off a donation for the Spalding Cats Protection League’s Christmas campaign.

Mr Drury, who founded the Give a Gift campaign in 2011, said: “Sadly, there is an unbelievable number of children in our district who are affected by poverty and the campaign gives the public a chance to buy a toy or gift for a child in their local area and we make sure it reaches them ready for Christmas morning.”

Rachel Mayfield, editor at The Spalding and South Holland Voice, added: “Our readers were so generous last year, we’re delighted to be involved again.

Kevin and Amanda Smith with their toy donations and gifts to the Spalding Cats Protection League’s Christmas appeal.

“This appeal really does make a massive difference to local families who would otherwise struggle to get their child a gift. It’s heart warming to think we can all play a part in changing that.”

We’ll be delighted if you decide to support the appeal, which closes at 5pm on Monday, December 17, but ask you please not to gift wrap your present – they need to be assessed to ensure children receive suitable toys to open on December 25.

“We respectfully ask that the gifts are in new or ‘as new’ condition and we are unable to accept cuddly toys, make-up, toiletries or food and perishable items due to health and safety,” said Mr Drury. “The presents can be of any value to suit your budget, we are however unable to accept money.”

Separately, top quality used cuddly toys carrying the CE mark are sought by the Donate A Cuddle appeal as part of Ella’s Project.

Organiser Mark Le Sage said: “We normally only accept clothes but only until December 15 we will accept donations of good quality cuddly toys to help put a smile on to a child’s face this Christmas.”

If you know of any families in the South Holland or Boston area who might benefit from the campaign, email or write to Rachel in confidence. Any gifts left over will go to South Holland and Boston Child Services in time for Christmas.

At the Sainsbury’s Give a Gift drop off point in Spalding are (from left) Dalia Reeve, Hollie Rungay, Tristan Gilbert of Thomas Campbell Estate Agents, Harry Drury, Mark Le Sage of Ella’s Project, The Voice editor Rachel Mayfield and Sainsbury’s Rachel Cook.