THE annual Christmas Toys and Teens Appeal has been launched today by the Mayor of Reading who donated the first toy.
The appeal, sponsored by The Reading Chronicle and organised by Reading Family Aid, collects and redistributes new or ‘as new’ toys, suitable for ages 0 – 16, to disadvantaged Reading families at Christmas time.
Councillor Paul Woodward stressed how important this appeal is to the many families living in desperate need in Reading.
He said: “I’m very honoured to be launching the Toys and Teens campaign this year.
"I appeal to everybody to give generously and really make a difference to a child at Christmas."
More than 10,000 children in Reading are living in poverty with many families relying on food banks and having to choose between heating or a gift for their children at Christmas.
This is where the Toys and Teens Appeal is here to help.
Mr Woodward added: “You see some aspects of poverty in this town.
"You will see people sleeping on the streets, but you don’t necessarily see the poverty that’s in families."
In 2018, the appeal delivered gifts to 1,600 disadvantaged children from over 600 families in time for Christmas.
One family member who received donations last year said: “You helped me last year with donations to my three young girls.
"I was in a bad domestic violence relationship and since then he has been jailed.
"The girls are very upset - they know their dad isn’t going to be here for Christmas but they still love him and I understand that.
"I’m really struggling, using the food bank most weeks, and I am panicking about Christmas and how I’m going to afford it.
"Please would you be able to help me again this year? Last year you really made a difference.”
This year, please consider picking up an extra gift when shopping for your little ones, or organising a collection at your work, school or place of worship.
Whether it’s a crafty item, jigsaw puzzle, children’s book, toy car or make up for a teenager, all new toy and gift donations are gratefully received.
The donation points are open today and remain open until Sunday December 1, after which scores of volunteers will sort, pack and deliver these items.
For more information, please click here.
TOYS & TEENS APPEAL - PUBLIC DONATION POINTS 2019
Caversham Homecraft, Caversham
Caversham Library, Caversham
New Bridge Nursery, Caversham
Crescent Centre, Earley
St Barnabas Church, Emmer Green
Lower Earley Library
The Club at Mapledurham, Chazey Heath
Big Yellow Storage, 27 Rose Kiln Lane
Southcote Library
Spencers Wood Library
Norcot Early Years Centre, Tilehurst
Tilehurst Library
Birch Copse Primary School, Tilehurst
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA), Reading Town Centre
Sainsbury's, (Friar Street), Reading Town Centre
Civic Centre, Reading Town Centre
Reading Market, Reading Town Centre
World Shop, Reading Town Centre
Interserve, Twyford
Battle Library, West Reading
Tesco Extra, Portman Road
The Oakwood Centre, Woodley
Winnersh Primary School
Willow Bank Junior School, Woodley
Woodley Library
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