Events lined up to raise funds for Christmas toy appeal – and where you can give

The Community Links and Newham Recorder Toy Appeal kicked off earlier this week and there is now news of a number of events being staged to raise funds for the appeal.

Wear a Christmas Jumper Day – December 9. The idea is to encourage schools, businesses, colleges, supermarkets and their staff etc to join in.

All participants pay a ‘Christmas tax’ for the privilege of wearing their jumper which is donated to the appeal. Tax level determined by the participants but £1 for schools/colleges and £5 for businesses recommended.

Appeal co-ordinator Paula Blake said: “We will convert funds in to gifts to help fill the stockings. Trade purchase arrangements we have enable us to help the maximum number of children.

“We can provide posters, information leaflets and a speaker to anyone who wants to learn about the appeal.”

Further details – kevinjenkins.christmas@gmail.com

West Ham United stars kicked off the campaign this week and already the first lot of toys has begun to trickle in.

There’s also our Christmas Quiz Night to be held at Links on  December 1. Start is 7pm for 7.30pm. There are just a few tables left.

A table of up to 8 players is just £75.00. Members of the winning team will each receive a bottle of wine.

Contact kevinjenkins.christmas@gmail.com

Bikers who support the toy appeal every year are staging their annual bike toy run

on Saturday December 3 . All bikers welcome to join is.

And talented youngsters are putting on a show for the appeal.

Deborah Day Christmas Show  is on Sunday  December 11 at 2pm at Brampton Academy Theatre, East Ham. It is a  Christmas themed dance and music involving over 108 children from the Deborah Day Dance School – the 3rd Christmas show staged by for the Links/Recorder Toy Appeal.

Tickets cost £10 per person (over 15) and £5 (5 to 14). Free Parking.

Venue: Brampton Academy Theatre, Brampton Academy, Roman Road, East Ham, E6. Tickets available from kevinjenkins.christmas@gmail.com

Excellent opportunity to enjoy an early Christmas show and help children to help children less fortunate than themselves.

The Christmas Toy Appeal aims to give stockings full of gifts to thousands of children as young as two months and as old as 16, but shopping for such a wide age range can be daunting. Here are some helpful ideas of presents to give. Ideally gifts should not promote war or violence, and be both fun and educational.

• Story books for all ages,
• All types of craft sets, model kits, jigsaws, stationery and coloured pencils.
• Dolls and accessories.
• Cars and car sets for all ages.
• Boxed board games.
• Rucksacks.
• Lego, Duplo and other construction sets.
• £5/£10 fashion or sports vouchers.
• Compilation CDs.
• DVDs of children’s films.
• Toys from newborn to three years and early years toys from three to five years.

If you would prefer to donate money instead, Community Links is able to buy toys at trade prices to make sure your kindness helps as many children as possible. Please make cheques and postal orders payable to Community Links Trust.

A network of drop-off points has been set up as in the last 40 years. Here’s where you can give.

• Beckton Library, 1 Kingsford Way, Beckton. Open Mon – Sat 10.30am – 8pm.
• Beckton Community Centre, 14 East Ham Manor Way, Beckton. Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm.
• Canning Town Library, Barking Road, Canning Town. Open Mon – Sat 10.30am – 8pm.
• Custom House Library, Prince Regent Lane, Custom House. Open Mon, Tues, Sat 9.30am – 5.30pm, Thurs 1pm – 8pm.
• East Ham Library, 328 Barking Road, East Ham. Open Mon – Fri 9am -8pm, Sat 9.30am – 8pm.
• Field Community Centre, 147 Station Road, Forest Gate. Open Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm.
• Grass Roots, Grassroots Children’s Centre, Memorial Park, Memorial Avenue, Stratford. Open Mon – Fri 10am to 4pm.
• Green Street Library, 337-341 Green Street, Upton Park. Open Mon – Sat 10.30am – 8pm.
• The Gate Library, 2-6 Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate. Open Mon – Sat 10.30am – 8pm.
• The Hub, 123 Star Lane, Canning Town. Open Mon – Fri 10am – 4pm.
• Jack Cornwell Community Centre, Jack Cornwell Street, Manor Park. Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm.
• Jeyes Community Centre, 1 James Close, Plaistow. Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm.
• Katherine Road Community Centre, 254 Katherine Road, Forest Gate. Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm.
• Manor Park Library, 685 – 693 Romford Road, Manor Park. Open Mon – Sat 10.30am – 8pm.
• Plaistow Library, North Street, Plaistow. Open Mon, Tues, Sat 9.30am – 5.30pm, Weds and Fri 9.30am – 5pm, Thurs 1pm – 8pm.
• Stratford Library, 3 The Grove, Stratford. Open Mon – Sat 9.30am – 8pm, Sun 1pm – 5pm.
• North Woolwich Library, 5 Pier Parade, North Woolwich. Mon, Tues, Sat 9.30am – 5.30pm, Thurs 1pm – 8pm.
• Newham Bookshop, 745 – 747 Barking Road, Plaistow. Open Tues – Sat, 10am to 4pm.
• St Bartholomew’s Church Centre, 292 Barking Road, East Ham. Open Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm.
• Theatre Royal Box Office, Gerry Raffles Square, Stratford. Open Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm, or until the start of that evening’s show.
• Community Links, 105 Barking Road, Canning Town. Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5.30pm.
• Community Links ASTA Hub, 14 Camel Road, Silvertown. Open Mon – Fri, 10am – 3pm.
• Arc in the Park, Hermit Road Park, Bethell Avenue.Open Mon – Fri 9am – 5pm.
• EAT 16, St Lukes Community Centre, 87 Tarling Road, Canning Town. Open Mon – Friday 8am – 3pm.

Pictures@ Colin Grainger/ Newham Recorder