We are now through the third week of our marathon challenge...the Christmas Toy Appeal in conjunction with Community Links.

We need to collect almost 15,000 toys to ensure that no child loses out at this special time of year.

We have now collected the equivalent of 3,000 toys, but we now have only another three weeks to collect the other 12,000 gifts that are needed.

That is a massive 4,000 toys a week, and our biggest ever challenge. There is a real danger some children could lose out, so please come to our aid now.

We need you to step up and dig deep for our campaign. Please see it in your heart to add some special youngsters to your Christmas shopping list.

This week we have heard of a group of pensioners who have done their bit for the appeal. The Community Links Pensioners group will hopefully make their donation this week. And more details have emerged of the special event for being held on Saturday December 10.... the Christmas Toy Run by caring bikers.

The British Motorcyle Federation Region 8 bikers will meet at the King’s Oak pub in High Beech while other bikers will meet up at North City Triumph dealers in Romford.

They will then stop at various venues on the way collecting toys for needy young ones and then meet up at Community Links headquarters in Barking Road, Canning Town.

The event,which will see many bikers in fancy dress will include BMF riders, those from the Essex Chapter of the Harley Davidson group and the Virago Star Owners Club and other riders who have pledged to make a difference. BMF spokesman John Pryke said: “We want to help as many children as possible.”

When you buy gifts for loved ones and friends, please add another – for a child. We promise every pound donated will be turned into toys.

There are just a few hours left for you to bid for a piece of West Ham United history and help us raise funds which will be turned into new toys for the appeal.

Actor Ricky Grover gave us the shirt signed by the Irons winning FA Cup team of 1980, where Sir Trevor Brooking helped the Irons beat the Gooners at Wembley.

Ricky said: “It is my pleasure to give you the shirt to raise funds for the appeal.”

As of 10.30 today the bidding stands at �350.

You can e-mail your bid from now to the editor Colin Grainger. E-Mail your bid to colin.grainger@newhamrecorder.co.uk

The bids can be made by email only until 5pm today Wednesday November 30.

The bidder must agree to pick up the shirt from Kevin Jenkins at Community Links and pay by cash to the charity. Please include your address and phone number with your bid.

If you cannot bid for the shirt, please help our appeal in other ways.

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You can still join the quiz event of the year tomorrow night (Thursday December 1). Our quiz night competition is a chance to raise money for the Community Links and Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal.

Our annual challenge quiz will be held from 7.30pm. Participants can arrive from 7pm at Links’ base in Barking Road, Canning Town.

It always provide tension, drama and above all else, fun. The Recorder’s own teams will be there.

Tables of eight cost just �75, which will enable one 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.

To enter call (020) 7473 2270.

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

n You can stage a sponsored event for the appeal to raise cash.

Editor Colin Grainger this weekend made his annual dip for charity, as he has done since 1976, swimming 50 lengths at Becontree Leisure Centre.

The sum will be matched by the Recorder’s parent company Archant.

Any donation is welcome. If you want to sponsor Colin or send a donation, send it to Coliln Grainger, Editor, Newham Recorder, Media House, 539, High Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1UD. Cheques should be made payable to Community Links please, not the Recorder.

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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, 9am to 10pm any day.

ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH AND CENTRE: Barking Road/ St Bartholmew’s , 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.

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.

* 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, Melissa York, Luke Jacobs 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