YOUR kindness has stepped up a gear this week, as we have collected lots more gifts for the Community Links and Newham Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal for 2010.

Our total now stands at almost 3,500, which is great. But that good news now has to be followed by some bad news.

We still have anonter TEN THOUSAND toys to collect in just three weeks.

That’s more than 3,000 a week, over 450 a day, to ensure no child is left out at this special time of year.

For the 34th year we have launched our appeal in conjunction with the group that is at the heart of local life, care organisation Community Links.

I completed my sponsored swim this week with some difficulty and, support pledged by Mayor Sir Robin Wales and Newham Chamber of Commerce were backed by the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Theatre Royal, Stratford.

The Harley Davidson Owners Group and the British Motorcycle Association are also backing the campaign by staging a special Bike Toy Run around East London on December 11.

Newham CVS at Burford Business Centre in Stratford are backing the appeal.

Meanwhile, Links are busy preparing for the party at which the toys you donate will be handed out, bringing joy to so many. It will bestaged at Links’ main base in Barking Road, Canning Town. Please do all you can to make this year’s appeal one to remember. There are a lot of young people depending on YOU.

MAYOR Sir Robin Wales added his support to the toy appeal that will see youngsters most in need not missing out this Christmas.

Sir Robin donated to the annual Newham Recorder and Community Links Christmas Toy Appeal, which has been running for more than 30 years.

Said Sir Robin: “I am delighted once again to be able to support this very important appeal because it makes a lot of young people very happy. This year more than ever, we all have to think carefully about how we afford the costs of Christmas.

“Every child matters which is why I encourage individuals and businesses across the borough to try to do their bit for the appeal.”

The Mayor presented the gifts to youngsters from St Helen’s and Scott Wilkie schools who collected them on behalf of Canning Town-based charity Community Links.

THERE is still time to take part in the quiz event of the year to raise vital cash for the Community Links and Recorder’s Christmas Toy Appeal.

Our annual challenge quiz will be held tomorrow night December 2 from 7.30pm. Participants can arrive from 7pm at Links’ base in Barking Road, Canning Town. It always provide tension, drama and fun. The Recorder’s own team will be there.

The Recorder Rejects will aiming to regain the trophy they last won in 2007, and were pipped to by one point in last year’s event. Tables of eight cost just �75, which will enable a family of disadvantaged children to have a really special Christmas.

As well as the chance to hold the trophy for a year, each member of the winning team will get a bottle of wine.

Previous quizzes at the public hall have been oversubscribed, and with interest already running high, early booking is recommended.

If you want to enter a team, contact Kevin Jenkins, Paula Blake or one of the Toy Appeal team at Community Links on (020) 7473 2270.

Each table taken up equates to another family of children having a Christmas to remember this year.

There will be prizes for the winners and lemons (or possibly something completely inappropriate) for the losers!

The night is always popular so give up your armchairs and I’m A Celebrity for the night and join us. Please bring your own drinks and nibbles.

IF you want to stage an event to raise money, or collect toys for the appeal, call Links for advice on (020) 7473 2270.

l Links are staging a Christmas lunch to raise funds for the appeal and buy new toys. Places for the nosh-up on December 16 must be booked. A meal of soup, turkey main course, ham, roast spuds and brussell sprouts, carrots, parsnips, mince pies and custard or trifle, and a glass of wine, costs �8. Veggie options are available. It takes place from noon to 1.30pm and 1.30 to 3pm.

l If you want to visit Links and find out more about the appeal, help at one of the parties being staged, or want more information, contact Paula Blake on (020) 7473 2270.

l You can still add to the cash raised by Editor Colin Grainger, who has swum 50 lengths to raise money for the campaign. Send any donations to the address at the end of the drop off points list.

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.

NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY (KEEN AND BASSETT) : 355, Barking Road, East Ham, during 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, 9am to 10pm any day.

ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH AND CENTRE: Barking Road, East Ham, 9am to 5pm any day.

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 LOCAL SERVICE CENTRE: Kingsford Way, during opening hours Monday to Saturday.

CANNING TOWN LOCAL SERVICE CENTRE: Beckton Road, during opening hours.

GREEN STREET LOCAL SERVICE CENTRE: Green Street, Upton Park, during opening hours.

STRATFORD LOCAL SERVICE CENTRE: The Grove, Stratford, during opening hours.

EAST HAM LOCAL SERVICE CENTRE: Barking Road, East Ham, during opening hours.

THE GATE LOCAL SERVICE CENTRE and LIBRARY: Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, 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.

NEWHAM CVS: Burford Business Centre, Burford Road, Stratford, during opening hours.

GALLIONS REACH MANAGEMENT CENTRE: Unit 18A Gallions Reach Shopping Centre, Beckton, during opening hours.

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 Pat Coughtrey, Kay Atwal, Eleanore Robinson, Lee Peart, Linda Warner, John Finn or Colin Grainger on the Recorder’s Toy Appeal Desk on (020) 8478 4444. You can also make a cash donation.

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.