style | life Community Give a little love
The Official Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal has launched again for its second year, and this year they need your help to give out 2,500 presents to children on the Island who otherwise might not receive any presents at all; either due to sickness, a recent bereavement or another crisis in their lives – or perhaps their family just can’t afford the luxury of presents this year.
T
he toy appeal was set up by Deborah and Daniel Rooke who moved to the Isle of Wight last year. Before moving they regularly supported a mainland appeal but when they moved to the Island they were surprised to see that there wasn’t anything like it over here. Concerned that
there may be an unfulfilled need here they began making enquiries and discovered the scale of the problem. Knowing that they needed to spread the word quickly and gather support, Daniel approached Bestival promoters Josie da Bank & Ziggy Gilsenan who offered Bestival’s full support and put them in touch with official media partners Isle of Wight Radio and the Isle of Wight County Press who both championed the appeal for its entire duration.
It soon became apparent though that their original estimated target of 500 gifts and toys was too low. As Deborah explains, “We had requests for toys from lots of other children’s organisations and charities across the Island, such as the YMCA Young Carers, Beaulieu House, St Mary’s hospital, Foodbank, and Homestart. In fact, we ended up distributing 2,233 toys last year thanks to the stunning generosity of Islanders.”
Encouraged by last year’s success, the whole team are raring to go with this year’s appeal – hoping to beat last year’s target so that they can help even more Island youngsters. As Rob da Bank says “Josie, myself & the whole Bestival team are delighted to help power Daniel & Deborah’s Isle of Wight Christmas Toy Appeal again this year… I feel pretty confident that, even though times are tough for everybody at the moment, we can really smash that total this year.”
So what can you do to help?
You can donate a new and unwrapped toy or gift suitable for a child aged 0-16 via one of the 13 drop-off points between 15th November and 13th December 2013 (organisers do suggest a value of £10.00+ for any toys or gifts donated. Please no second hand toys – and don’t forget the batteries if your gift requires them. The team of Toy Appeal volunteers will
then wrap your gift and ensure that it is delivered in time for Christmas.
If you can help to spread a little festive joy, pick up an extra present when you’re doing your Christmas shopping and put a smile on the face of an Island child this Christmas.
13 Official Drop-Off Points
Newport: Isle of Wight Radio - Isle of Wight County Press - The Entertainer – Mothercare - Argos Ryde: Tesco Extra - Toymaster Sandown: Rapanui Shanklin: Toymaster Ventnor: The Royal Hotel Freshwater: West Wight Sports Centre West Cowes: Charlotte’s Academy - Red Jet Terminal
For further information and general enquiries, email
info@christmastoyappeal.org Like the official Facebook page
www.facebook.com/christmastoyappeal Follow on Twitter: @ToyAppeal
November / December 2013 15
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