Thousands more gifts rare needed for a Christmas toy appeal in aid of disadvantaged Newham children.
The Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal 2025, organised by charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA) and supported by the Newham Recorder, has been receiving toy donations.
However, the appeal's toy warehouse is empty apart from a few boxes.
Appeal co-ordinator and operations manager for AAA, Paula Blake, said: "We are so grateful to those who have given to the appeal so far, but the donations have been very slow.
"We need to fill up the empty space in our toy warehouse – and quickly.
"We need thousands more gifts to ensure no child is left out."
The warehouse, where the donations are processed, has been provided at no cost by Gallions Reach Shopping Park in Beckton.
Volunteers began their work at the warehouse on December 1, and the first donations are already being sorted.
AAA chief executive Jonny Boux said: "We have corporate volunteers from 15 different companies booked in to help sort the gifts and they will also be providing donations linked to their support."
The charity has compiled a specific appeal gift list, which can be found on its Amazon wishlist at amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3KOW2QDDVQZ3P?ref_=wl_share.
The wishlist includes a selection of gifts that the organisers hope to include in this year's Christmas stockings.
The gifts cater to varying ages and are priced at different levels.
Any gifts purchased will be delivered directly to the appeal.
Alternatively, cash gifts can be donated directly on the appeal's JustGiving page at justgiving.com/campaign/xmasappeal25.
Cash donations will be used to purchase gifts to fill the Christmas stockings.
Donations can also be made in person at the Terence Brown Arc In The Park, in Bethell Avenue, Canning Town, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Each year, the appeal aims to provide each referred child with a Christmas stocking filled with new gifts tailored to their age, needs, abilities, and wherever possible, their most wished-for gift to open on Christmas morning.
This year, the appeal aims to reach at least 3,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.
Share