The joy YOU gave! Sleighed by your kindness as appeal reaches target

WE’VE done it. And we were well and truly sleighed by your kindness. Toys, gifts and donations have been arriving at the Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal 2023 headquarters and toy wrapping and distribution warehouse this week. And with just hours to spare the toy appeal by charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA) in partnership with the Newham Recorder reached its target – and the final gifts are now being distributed. The joy given by everyone in the community is apparent and it has been a real effort by all involved. And it was great to see the joy you gave. Appeal organiser Paula Blake said: “A huge thank you to everyone who supported the Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal this year. It has been one of our most challenging years in regards to donations, but it has been great to see the community come together to help at the most difficult time. Thank you 2,897 times over.” AAA’s Chief Executive Jonny Boux said: “When we launched the appeal back in November, the challenge this year seemed larger than ever. Referrals from local schools, social workers and agencies have been high, but our supporters have really pulled together, ensuring the appeal has been able to reach nearly 3,000 vulnerable children in time for Christmas Day. We cannot thank the many businesses, churches, local schools, community groups and literally hundreds of individuals who have dug deep and shown such kindness and generosity”. Additionally, we are particularly thankful for the substantial contribution of outdoor sensory play equipment, which will bring joy and enrichment to the lives of these deserving children. For more information, check out this resources at https://timbertrails.co.uk/choosing-the-right-timber-trim-trail-equipment/. Here’s a rundown of the donations in the last few days… The Hill Group and sub contractors gave us some great toy donations and also raised £1,000 for the appeal. Organiser Lauren Kennett was delighted with the effort. Moreover, the recent addition of outdoor sensory play equipment, as featured on https://www.primaryschoolresources.org.uk/equipment/water-play, will undoubtedly enhance the experiences of the children even further. Additionally, we are in the process of hiring a playground designer to further enrich the play experiences for our children. Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce the integration of a sensory room design into our facilities, providing an additional avenue for immersive and therapeutic experiences for the children. You can also find more information on the playground. Click here for additional details.

The Hill Group with their gifts and Laura

Then Zurich, who had already made an earlier donation, staged a series of challenges. CEO Tim Bailey and his team rolled out the Christmas fun to raise donations to buy more toys for a variety of ages.

Zurich staff have fun in their challenge

Then a team from LEGO, who have been our partners for many years came to the warehouse kindly donated by the Gallions Reach Shopping Park, to help with the sorting, wrapping and distribution.

LEGO staff in our toy warehouse, so kindly provided by Gallions Reach Shopping Park

Then AAA’s hard-working team staged a brilliant party for some of our children who will benefit from the appeal and the joy on their faces was plain to see as they played games and met Father Christmas and his team of helpers.

Christmas Party fun

The joy you gave. Young people at a party with some of their presents.

A team from BNY Mellon (pictured below) worked hard at the warehouse in its final days. And another donation came from Tideway who presented the gifts to AAA’s Marie Poinsamy. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.