We made it - the Recorder and Community Links’ Christmas Toy Appeal has raised over 15,000 gifts for underprivileged children in its 36th year.

Thanks to the unwavering support of our readers, local businesses, charities, schools, pubs, the Mayor and councillors, to name only a few, every child - no matter what obstacles or poverty they face - will wake up to a present on Christmas morning.

These are tough times for us all but your big-hearted generosity shows that community spirit is alive and well in Newham.

Many thanks are due to:

Cash donations; Conway, Scrutton Estates, Arriva, ExCeL London, Tate & Lyle Sugars, Chevron UK Ltd, Next, Beckton Arms pub, and the Royal Docks Trust.

Toys; Cofely UK, Investec, MVBJV – Lee Tunnel Delivery Team, Henderson Global Investors, Newham Partnership Working, St Nicholas Church, Chevron UK Ltd, Clockhouse Primary School, Chalkwell Hall Infant School, Close Brothers EC2, Chevron UK Ltd, Foxtons Stratford, J Orris, Local Space, East End Promises Bank, Zurich Insurance, Tate & Lyle Sugars E15, Vanguard E14, Dashwood House E12, St George’s and St Ethelbert’s E6, East London Business Alliance, Beckton Arms pub, London Legacy Corporation, Forest Gate Women’s Institute, and Zurich Insurance.

Books: Newham Bookshop, Bibliophile Books, Scholastic Books, Ms Anita Blow.

Individuals (cash or gifts); L Smith, J Peasnall, Mr Peaper, R Wickens, M.Hammond, V. Brennan, Sue Brazil and family, Mrs Wood, and Mrs Kent.

Churches; St Mary’s Broomfield, St John the Evangelist – Havering-atte-Bower, South Woodham Ferrers Methodist Church , St Michaels Gidea Park, Brentwood United Reform Church , Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints – Hornchurch, Writtle United Reform Church, St James and St Johns Church – Havering-atte-Bower.

Companies; TPG Capital, Aramark, The Royal Household – Buckingham Palace, BNP Paribas, PAM Global Investment, Capita, Oval Insurance Brokers.

Schools; Eastcoutt School – Goodmayes, Chalkwell Infant School – Leigh-on-Sea, Forest Preparatory School.

Donations; The Container Man, Head Office Cleaning , MG Property Services , Adams and Sutherland , Air Pumping, IOD Skip Hire, Hawkins Brown, Thames Water, O’Shea + Co Ltd.

Major Supporters, Ellmers, Glyn Hopkin, Aspers.

Mr & Mrs Frances, Mr S Peynor, Mr & Mrs Mayo, Ms Linaker, Mrs Leadenhan, Mr Mrztto, Mr & Mrs Stevens, Mrs Higgs; Rose Brewer – personally hand knitted toys; Fence Club – Toys; Variety Club of Great Britain – Toys R Us vouchers.

Special thanks to John Murphy – Quattro Plant Hire for providing the warehouse.