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Swift Logistics and The Community Furniture Project launch the 2024 West Berkshire toy appeal in Newbury




With Christmas just around the corner, Swift Logistics and The Community Furniture Project came together to launch their annual toy appeal yesterday morning (Tuesday).

The mayors of Newbury and Thatcham, six Parsons Down schoolchildren, local dignitaries and even Father Christmas himself were at the launch event at The Community Furniture Project in Bone Lane.

Swift Logistics and The Community Furniture Project launch the 2024 West Berkshire toy appeal
Swift Logistics and The Community Furniture Project launch the 2024 West Berkshire toy appeal

The toy appeal—which is entering its 18th year in 2024—is a charitable initiative that helps children from less fortunate backgrounds enjoy the festive season.

Now that the appeal has been launched, local people, businesses and organisations are being asked to donate toys that will be given to children in West Berkshire have been deemed as from financially challenged backgrounds by social services.

Kelvin Hughes, chief executive of the Newbury Community Resource Centre (the organisation that runs The Community Furniture Project), officially launched the scheme.

The Newbury Community Resource Centre’s chief executive Kelvin Hughes launching the 2024 toy appeal
The Newbury Community Resource Centre’s chief executive Kelvin Hughes launching the 2024 toy appeal

He said: “What we are going to need is hard work from a lot of people to make this come through.”

He also revealed that for the first time, the toy appeal will be going mobile this year.

The appeal organisers recognised that travel can be an issue for people who make use of the service, and so they will be putting on satellite Santa’s grottos at family hubs throughout West Berkshire.

Kelvin Hughes and Thatcham mayor Suzanne Adamantos
Kelvin Hughes and Thatcham mayor Suzanne Adamantos

“We will coordinate with the family hubs and go there on the day to try and make it easier for people to access the support,” Mr Hughes added.

He also implored local office workers to forgo buying “absolute nonsense rubbish plastic bits of stuff that will remain in the draw until next Christmas” as part of a workplace secret Santa and instead access the toy appeal’s Amazon wish list and buy some items to help the scheme.

The appeal uses the wish list to let people know what toys are needed for the appeal, as they are usually stocked up with a lot of gifts for younger children but struggle with things for older kids, particularly teenage boys.

Six pupils from Thatcham’s Parsons Down School attended the appeal launch
Six pupils from Thatcham’s Parsons Down School attended the appeal launch

Mr Hughes thanked everyone for attending the appeal launch.

He said: “Anything you can do to help us promote the toy appeal, and similarly if you know of any people who could make use of the toy appeal, please contact us.”

Those who wish to support the appeal should call the Santa hotline on 01635 571703 or visit the website at toyappeal.co.uk to find out more.

Swift Logistics and The Community Furniture Project launch the 2024 West Berkshire toy appeal
Swift Logistics and The Community Furniture Project launch the 2024 West Berkshire toy appeal

The Amazon wish list is accessible at https://rebrand.ly/yw78jds

There are also several toy donation points across West Berkshire. These are Camp Hopson in Northbrook Street, The Community Furniture Project, Sainsbury’s in Hectors Way, Waterside Youth & Community Centre, Greenham Trust at Greenham Business Park and Newbury Building Society branches in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford.

Those seeking vouchers to make use of the toy appeal can do so from West Berkshire Council, The Community Furniture Project, social support workers, family support workers, school liaison officers, NHS practitioners, GPs and surgeries.



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