Hundreds of toys donated after best-ever campaign

This year’s Give A Gift Appeal has been the best yet – and that’s thanks to the generosity of Voice readers.

Hundreds of donated gifts are now on their way to families in and around Spalding whose children may otherwise have had nothing to unwrap on Christmas Day.

Harry Drury, director of We’ll Let Your House, which runs the campaign in partnership with The Voice and others, said: “For a sixth consecutive year, I find myself humbled in the face of absolute selfless generosity of the people and businesses of South Holland and Boston.

“I would personally and on behalf of each of the partners of the Give a Gift Campaign, like to thank each and every person who donated toys to the campaign, no matter how small or large the donation, each and every gift will go to a local child who will receive few to no gifts on Christmas morning this year.”

Continuous supporters of the appeal, Spalding-based fruit firm Karsten, donated £500 and Baytree Nurseries Garden Centre, Weston, gave 300 toys.

The gifts

Harry added: “I would like to pay a special thanks to John Birch and the team at Baytree Winter Wonderland for their huge donation and also to Karsen UK’s team, who collectively donated £500 to the campaign along with toys.

“The money donated will go to purchase presents for younger teenagers, as we receive very few donations for that age group.”

Piles of cuddly toys also came in for the Donate A Cuddle appeal – part of Ella’s Project, which collects and redistributes clothes for children aged up to five.

The appeal asked for clean pre-loved toys and in addition to piles of those, a huge amount of new, labelled soft toys also came in.

Rachel Mayfield, editor of The Voice, said: “As the mum to 14-month-old myself, I find the thought of some children not having a gift to open on Christmas morning incredibly sad.

“It’s extremely moving to see the absolute generosity of those who have donated to the appeal and wonderful to think of the happiness it will bring.

“It just goes to show, there are a lot of good people in the world.”