Their stories will break your heart...

Published 23 Oct 2009 14:00 0 Comments

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IN AN echoing sports hall, Father Christmas sits on a folding chair next to a hefty sack.

Later there will be party nibbles, cakes and a disco but for the moment the children only have eyes for him.

Because for some of them, several as young as six, who do the shopping, cooking, washing and cleaning for their seriously-ill or disabled parents, the gifts Santa hands out from The Chronicle's annual Toys and Teens appeal are the only Christmas presents they get.

Recalling the scene last year, one nine-year-old boy who goes to the Reading Crossroads support group for young carers said: "I was really, really excited because you want to know what's under the wrapping. Sometimes it's the present that you always wanted.

"Last year I got a football and it was signed by professional football players. It was really cool, I took it over to the park near me."

A 14-year-old who looks after her mum joined the group eight years ago, and her face lit up as she recalled opening some toys the first year. She said: "I didn't expect them and I was so excited. I wanted to go home straight away and play with them."

She added: "We are quite lucky to get presents.

"Some parents can't afford loads at Christmas or are too ill to go out and get them. This appeal makes a really big difference."

The teenagers also get gifts, and another girl, aged 14, said: "Just opening them is cool. It's like what a friend would give you. That makes it special.

"Even chocolate and stuff counts. Everything counts really."

Mary Jacobs, manager of the Reading branch of the Crossroads charity, said: "For some of the children here, it might be the only thing they get. The presents are always well-received.

"They are all pleased to think that we are thinking about them."

Last year, the 60 young members of the Crossroads group were among more than 1,200 low-income or ill children across Reading who benefitted from the generosity of Chronicle readers, schools, churches, volunteers and local businesses who donated their

l Continued on page 2 time and resources, including Access Storage, Austin Logistics, Rabbits Vehicle Hire, Barton Willmore and VGL Graphics.

Sallie Wall, chairwoman of charity Reading Family Aid, which sorted 230 sacks of presents last year, said: "Each gift really does make a difference. Thank you so much to everyone."

See more about Crossroads, which relies on donations, at www.readingcrossroads.org

WHAT TO GIVE:

Please donate new or good quality unwrapped gifts at our collection points before Sunday, December 6.

Younger children would welcome toys, games, books, crafts, crayons and colouring books; clothes are appreciated for babies and young children.

There is also an urgent need for presents for teenagers - particularly boys. Please donate vouchers, toiletries, hair gel, footballs and other suitable presents, including jewellery and hair accessories for girls. In addition, festive chocolates go down well.

Please also donate good quality AA, AAA, C and D batteries. Reading Family Aid also appreciates help with sorting the gifts from Monday to Wednesday, December 7 to 9.

Email readingfamilyaid@yahoo.co.uk or call Ruth Perkins on 0118 947 0305.

Please also get in touch if your organisation works with families who would benefit from the scheme.

COLLECTION POINTS:

*Reading town centre

Greyfriars CE Church

64 Friar Street, Reading,

RG1 1EH. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm. Sat: 9am-4pm.

Voluntary Action Centre

Cross Street, Reading, RG1 1SN. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm.

Mayor's Parlour Reading Civic Centre, Civic Offices, Reading, RG1 7TD. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm.

*West Reading

Access Self Storage 62 Portman Road, Reading, RG30 1EA. Mon-Fri: 8.30am-6pm. Sat: 8.30am-5pm. Sun: 10am-4pm.

Battle Library 420 Oxford Road, Reading, RG30 1EE. Mon, Tue, Thu: 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm. Sat: 9.30am-1pm, 2-4pm.

*South Reading

Reading 107fm Radio House, Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FN. Mon-Fri: 9am-5.30pm.

Peter Green Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, RG2 0JJ. Mon-Wed: 10am-6pm. Thu: 10am-8pm. Fri: 10am-6pm. Sat: 9am-6pm. Sun: 10.30am-4.30pm.

*Caversham, Emmer Green and Mapledurham

Thameside Primary School Harley Road, Caversham, RG4 8DB. Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm.

Rabbits Vehicle Hire Ltd Wolsey Road, Caversham, RG4 8BY. Mon-Fri: 8.30am-5.30pm. Sat: 8.30am-noon.

St Barnabas Emmer Green

20 St Barnabas Road, Emmer Green, RG4 8RA. Mon-Tue: 8.30-11am. Wed: 10.30am-noon. Sun: 8am-11am.

Mapledurham Health & Golf Club, Chazey Heath, Mapledurham, Reading, RG4 7UD. Mon-Fri: 6.30am-10pm. Sat: 7am-7pm. Sun: 7am-9pm.

*Tilehurst

Asda Honey End Lane, Tilehurst, RG30 4EL. Mon-Sat: 7.30am-10pm. Sun: 10am-4pm.

*Woodley & Earley

Crescent Centre Warbler Drive, Earley, RG6 4HB. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm. Sat: 9am-12.30pm.

The Oakwood Centre Headley Road, Woodley, RG5 4JZ. Mon-Sat: 9am-5pm.

Pangbourne

St James the Less Church, Pangbourne Hill, Pangbourne, RG8 7AX.

*Calcot

Sainsbury's Savacentre (reception) Bath Road, Calcot, RG31 1SA. Mon-Fri: 7am-midnight. Sat: 6am-10pm. Sun: 10am-4pm.

To support Toys & Teens by offering to act as a collection point call Maxwell Kusi-Obodum on 0118 955 3305 or email mkusiobodum@berksmedia.co.uk

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 22 Oct 09

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