Residents get behind Christmas Toy Appeal

Giving Back charity members Sue Milne, Caroline Wolfenden, Mark Jones, Helen Leach and Lisa Mills ready to sort some of the gifts ready for delivery

Over 1,000 vulnerable local children will have a gift to wake up to on Christmas Day after another record-breaking year for the ‘Giving Back’ charity Christmas Toy Appeal.

More than 1,200 toys were donated by residents and staff to the annual appeal that sees the council’s ‘Giving Back’ charity asking locals to buy one extra present for a child between 0-16 and leave it at a library.

Helen Leach from the ‘Giving Back’ charity said: “Local people have really got behind our appeal again and it makes us all feel so proud.

"When we hit the 1,000 barrier last year it exceeded all expectations but to do it again is just brilliant.

"As well as all the individual donations we had some great support from generous local businesses including Swansway Honda, Wincanton, Boots, Heywood Lions, the Odeon and Strike Ten Bowling. People are very generous and the gifts were such good quality.

"We are lucky that there is an incredible spirit of generosity in the borough and a desire to help those who are less fortunate. Thank you to everyone who bought an extra toy.”