Swift in new appeal to spread Christmas cheer

Couriers launch annual drive to provide gifts for disadvantaged children

SWIFT Couriers is set to bring a seasonal smile to the faces of hundreds of West Berkshire children after launching its ninth Christmas toy appeal.

The company has been running the West Berkshire Christmas Toy Appeal since 2006, aimed at providing gifts for children in West Berkshire who social services have deemed as being from deprived or financially challenged backgrounds.

The appeal was launched on Tuesday, at the Community Furniture Project, in Bone Lane, where guests included chief executive James Gurney and editor Andy Murrill of the , which is supporting the appeal.

Also at the launch were the mayor of Newbury, Howard Bairstow, and chairman of West Berkshire Council, Peter Argyle.

The appeal is in aid of children facing a not-very-merry Christmas, due to challenging circumstances, and who in many cases would not otherwise have a Christmas at all.

“It’s all about the children at this time of year, and we ensure that we bring a smile to a local child’s face,” states Swift.

To ensure these children have a happy Christmas, Swift has appealed for the donation of toys and games, suitable for boys and girls, from newborn up to age 19.

Toys need to be new (not second hand) – and not wrapped – with contributors urged to look out for and take advantage of buy one get one free and three-for-two offers.

They are also reminded that make-up and toiletries are great presents for teenagers.

Drop-off points for the presents include: West Berkshire Council’s Market Street and West Street offices; Sainsbury’s Newbury branch, main Tesco stores; libraries in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford; Legends barbers in Thatcham, Newbury and Hungerford; Camp Hopson, Newbury; Newbury Building Society branches in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford; and Swift Couriers, in Hambridge Lane.

All children’s centres across West Berkshire are now also donation points, including those located in Burghfield, Theale, Chieveley, Tilehurst, Calcot and Pangbourne.

For locations and contact telephone numbers of the children’s centres involved, visit www.westberkshire.gov.uk

For those unable to drop off their gift, or for workplaces or organisations that wish to arrange a large donation, Swift Couriers is running a collection service.

To arrange a collection, call Santa’s hotline on (01635) 571773.

For more information visit swiftcouriers.com.