The most popular quiz night ever staged for the Community Links and Newham Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal raised more than �2,100 on Thursday evening.

It was the highest amount ever raised by the quiz, which had a record 22 teams enter.

And as the winners for the third consecutive year , the Newham Blips, the Newham Council Finance team, get to keep the treasured trophy.

The quiz was held at Links’ base in Barking Road, Canning Town, and attracted teams from all over Newham and East London.

Teams battled it out for the Maureen Allen memorial trophy, named after the Recorder’s former secretary who was a keen supporter of the appeal.

In second place were the Twiglets, with the Hot Stuff Before Christmas team in third.

The Recorder’s team finished a creditable fifth.

Added to the amount raised was another �160 raised by former Editor Colin Grainger who completed his swim at the Becontree Leisure Centre last week.

Colin, who was the editor of the Newham Recorder for 40 years, also received a gift of his own when the charity’s founder Kevin Jenkins awarded him with the Freedom of Community Links for 35 years of support and involvement.

Colin said: “It is an honour that has only been given to one other person, and I was deeply touched by it.”

There is a network of drop-off points all over Newham where you can leave toys. These are at:

NEWHAM RECORDER: The reception desk, Media House, 539, High Road, Ilford, 9am to 5.30pm weekdays.

COMMUNITY LINKS: Main Centre, Barking Road, Canning Town, 9am to 6pm weekdays.

COMMUNITY LINKS CENTRAL PARK CENTRE: 2 Central Park Road, East Ham, during opening hours.

COMMUNITY LINKS ASTA CENTRE: Camel Road, Silvertown, 9am to 6pm weekdays.

COMMUNITY LINKS ROKEBY CENTRE: Rokeby Street, Stratford, 9am to 6pm weekdays.

NEWHAM CITY FARM, Stansfeld Road, Beckton, during opening hours.

ASDA SUPERSTORE: Tollgate Road, Beckton, during store opening hours.

THE LORD STANLEY PUB: St. Mary’s Road, Plaistow, during opening hours.

THEATRE ROYAL, STRATFORD: Gerry Raffles Square, during opening hours.

LORD LISTER HEALTH CENTRE: Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, 9am to 5pm weekdays.

NEWHAM BOOKSHOP: Barking Road, Upton Park, 9.30am to 5pm, during opening hours.

ST MARK’S CHURCH AND CENTRE: Lorne Road, Forest Gate, during centre opening hours.

WEST HAM UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB: Castle Street, Upton Park, during opening hours.

ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH AND CENTRE: Barking Road/ St Bartholomew’s , East Ham, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

EAST HAM TOWN HALL: Barking Road, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

THE OLD TOWN HALL: Stratford Broadway, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

BECKTON GLOBE LIBRARY: Kingsford Way, Beckton, during opening hours.

CANNING TOWN LIBRARY: Barking Road, Canning Gown, during opening hours.

CUSTOM HOUSE LIBRARY: Prince Regent Lane, Custom House, during opening hours.

EAST HAM LIBRARY:High Street South, East Ham, during opening hours.

LIBRARY AND LOCAL SERVICE CENTRE AT THE GATE: Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, during opening hours.

GREEN STREET LIBRARY: Green Street, Upton Park, during opening hours.

MANOR PARK LIBRARY: Romford Road, Manor Park, during opening hours.

NORTH WOOLWICH LIBRARY: Pier Parade, North Woolwich, during opening hours.

NEWHAM ARCHIVES AND LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARY: The Grove, Stratford during opening hours.

PLAISTOW LIBRARY: North Street, Plaistow during opening hours.

STRATFORD LIBRARY: 3 The Grove, Stratford during opening hours.

PLAISTOW PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE: Queens Road West, Plaistow, during opening hours.

BARCHESTER, WESTGATE HOUSE NURSING HOME: Romford Road, Forest Gate, during opening hours.

n We can arrange for toys to be collected if you wish to make a donation but are

housebound. Contact Kevin Jenkins, Paula Blake or reception at Community Links on (020) 7473 2270. Alternatively, call Melissa York, Kay Atwal, or Else Kvist on the Recorder’s Toy Appeal Desk on (020) 8478 4444. You can also make a cash donation.

Send any cheques to Community Links and Newham Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal, Newham Recorder, 539, High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG11UD.

We promise that every penny given will be spent on brand new toys for needy youngsters in our community. Please make any cheques payable to Community Links.