Winter Toy Appeal for Disadvantaged Children

Newly created charity donated over 2000 presents last Christmas

Child poverty in the Hounslow area has worsened in the last year alone, with over 8,600 children living in poverty across the local area (Child Poverty Action Group statistics for the Brentford and Isleworth constituency for May 2019).

Looking to play a part in tackling the issue, a small group of residents with extensive experience working for charities tackling poverty and hunger in London have decided to put their skills and experience to use in their local area. Having launched a community appeal for the second year running, they hope to collect 2,000 new toys from local residents for local children, for distribution through a network of over 10 charity partners. These include organisations such as children’s charities, baby banks and even food banks.

Organiser Saba Hassan explains: “This year, we were once again inundated with requests for toys from organisations working on the frontline of poverty, and another Winter Toy Appeal seemed like the obvious and necessary response. Toys are so important not only for the joy they inspire, but for childhood development and learning, and sadly, children experiencing poverty or disadvantage often don’t have access to age-appropriate toys. Creating an environment of play isn't always possible when you're battling to provide the basics such as food and shelter.”

Feltham Foodbank were delighted to be one of the charity partners receiving toys last winter, and they have requested toys again this year, “That's a Wrap helped us by helping those in need. Many of our service users are struggling month to month, let alone at Christmas time when families are stressed about not being able to afford presents for their children.”

Saba added: “We’ve only just launched our appeal so we’re still very far off our 2000 toy target, and although it’s ambitious, it’s definitely achievable – it only takes a few minutes for local residents to donate a few toys through our website.”

A wish list of toys can be found on the That’s A Wrap! website, alongside a list of local collection points where the toys can be dropped off.

Alternatively, money can be donated via their GoFundMe webpage, which will be used to purchase toys wholesale.

The appeal has caught the attention of local schools such as Strand on the Green Infant and Nursery School in Chiswick, who will be hosting a school-wide collection of 300 toys for the second year in a row, while local businesses and supermarkets are similarly getting involved. To allow local residents a convenient way to drop donations off in person, Hounslow Library, Feltham Library and Chiswick Library have also agreed to host ‘Toy Drop Off Points’ for the duration of the appeal.

The toy appeal will culminate in a Community Toy Wrapping Event, where local residents are invited to come together to sort and wrap the donations before distribution. The event will take place on Sunday 15 December at the Nishkam School in Isleworth. Snacks, refreshments and music will be provided by the That’s A Wrap! team, and volunteers are encouraged to bring friends and family along to create a festive community atmosphere. Residents who wish to do so can register free of charge via Eventbrite.

Saba added: “As well as supporting vulnerable children over winter, the project aims to enhance community cohesion and assist the borough’s numerous under-resourced charities. We really hope that residents who hear about what we’re doing get behind us and give generously. It will give us the motivation to keep going and to hopefully organise different appeals and events in the future.”

November 22, 2019