THE Mayor of Reading, Councillor David Stevens, has expressed his support for a local charity’s Christmas Toy appeal and is urging people to donate to the cause.

Reading Family Aid is fundraising to buy presents for underprivileged 0-16 year olds living in Reading and the surrounding areas.

Cllr. Stevens explained: “Covid has had quite a dramatic effect.

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“In Reading we know that people are struggling.

"They’re losing jobs and unable to work.

“We’re seeing people more reliant on food banks, needing support from council services.

“Families are those people who are suffering most and that’s why we need to help them in any way we can.

“We really do need your help this year. It’s a bigger ask than every other year.

“Anything you can give is much appreciated.

"Please do donate, thank you very much.”

The Christmas Toys and Teens Appeal, organised by Reading Family Aid, will be slightly different this year due to the pandemic.

In order to protect volunteers, and supporters, the charity has decided not to open up donation points this year.

In its place, the charity has set up a fundraising page and is asking you to donate money instead of gifts.

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This money will then be used to buy new Christmas presents for disadvantaged children in Reading, which will be delivered directly to the organisations that help them.

Charlotte Morgan is Head of Campus at Reading College which helps to distribute toys from the charity’s Christmas appeal to children in need.

She said: “Some of our students who receive presents live in supported living and may be alone on Christmas Day.

"We have had a number of students that look forward to this present all year round, as this is their one opportunity to feel treated.”

As well as donating, the charity would be incredibly grateful if you considered holding a fundraising event.

You could organise a ‘dress up day’ at school or the office, dust off your black tie and party frocks, a pyjama day for your ‘Zoom’ meetings, or share the charity’s crowdfunding page on your social media.

Anything you can give, no matter how small will make a huge difference to these families at Christmas time.

The fundraising page will remain open until December 4, after which the funds will be used to buy presents that will be sent directly to organisations and distributed to deprived children across Reading.

The charity also thanked its sponsors: Berkshire Freemasons, Big Yellow and Caversham Vehicle Hire.

Visit the Go Fund Me page here to donate.