A comedian and writer has shown his support for a toy appeal for disadvantaged children in Newham.
The Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal 2025, run by the charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA) and supported by the Newham Recorder, is asking for contributions to help make the festive season a little brighter for young people in the borough.
Thousands of vulnerable children and young people have been referred this year, with requests for help exceeding previous years.
This reflects the growing daily challenges faced by many local families, according to the organisers.
Comedian, writer and actor Ricky Grover, one of the charity's patrons, lent his support with a video message.
He said: "If you can help in any way, it would be fantastic.
"It’s a huge task and we want to help under privileged and disabled young people."
The campaign also received a boost from sisters Layla and Salma Haidrani, who have made it their mission to support the appeal for the last three years.
They visited AAA's main base, the Terence Brown Arc in the Park, with a host of gifts including toiletries and perfumes for older children.
The sisters put aside money each week to support both the Christmas and Easter campaigns.
AAA chief executive Jonny Boux said that more than 200 corporate volunteers have already pledged to help at the warehouse, provided in Beckton by Gallions Reach Shopping Park.
The target is to reach the equivalent of 15,000 new toys of gifts for young people.
The charity has set up an appeal gift list on Amazon - at amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3KOW2QDDVQZ3P?ref_=wl_share - with a selection of gifts organisers hope to put into the Christmas stockings this year.
The gifts cover varying ages and price levels, and any purchased will be automatically delivered direct to the appeal.
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Cash donations are also welcomed via the campaign's JustGiving site -justgiving.com/campaign/xmasappeal25.
Donations can be made in person at the Terence Brown Arc in the Park, Bethell Avenue, from 9am to 5pm on weekdays and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.
The Recorder will publish details on how to support the campaign weekly, and AAA will feature updates on its social media pages.
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