SO now we come to the crunch! Not for the first time we are facing a massive hurdle in the final week of the appeal that means so much to Newham.

It has been an excellent week for the Community Links and Newham Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal for 2010.

There have been some truly massive efforts and staff from Community Links have been out and about all over the borough collecting toys.

Gifts have been coming in to our drop-off points all over the borough and kind-hearted souls have been dropping off toys and money.

We would like to thank all those who have given, and will continue to do so in the coming days and weeks.

We now have amassed the equivalent of EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED toys for children in need locally. That is just fantastic and we have news of more gifts on the way.

But there is a very real danger that the for the first time in 34 years we will not meet our target.

We really do need your help to ensure no child is left out at this special time of year.

We still need 5,000 toys to reach our target and that means we have to collect over 700 gifts a day in the next week.

Newham Chamber of Commerce’s and the Olympic Delivery Authority and the Theatre Royal, Stratford are set to help out this weekl.

Meanwhile, Links are busy preparing for the parties at which the toys you donate will be handed out, bringing joy to so many.

The parties are to be staged at Links’ main base in Barking Road, Canning Town. But we need YOU to help and help NOW. Give as much as you can and as quickly as you can. Time is running out and I fear we will not make it. Please help to prove that the special spirit we have in East London is alive and well.

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THE TOY APPEAL got a fantastic boost on Saturday when kind-hearted bikers braved the cold to bring us more than 200 toys and a cash donation.

The EssexChapter of the Harley Davidson Owners Group and the British Motorcycle Federation travelled all over East London and Essex to help boost the campaign.

The two groups started out in the early hours from Walthamstow and Epping, many of them in fancy dress, to collect new toys for their appeal that captured their hearts many years ago.

Said Links’ Kevin Jenkins: “They really did us proud and we are so greatful to them all.”

Organiser John Pryke was also able to hand over a cheque for �250 from kindhearts at the Arriva Bus Company. The bikers had a police escort on their trek. Former Deputy Mayor Christine Bowden, who has a long association with the appeal, was also there to greet the kindhearted bikers and their families.

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THE appeal got a boost from a kindhearted company this week.Baden Hill FX, from Knightsbridge supported the campaign by buying a ‘Secret Santa Wish List’ for the appeal. They donated gifts to the campaign which were received by playworkers from Links play project at Gooseley Park, East Ham

Playworkers June and Alison bought eight children from the project to Links base in Barking Road, Canning Town, to receive presents for the centre.

“The company also bought a horse dressed up as Santa - as a treat for the children. The event went really well, the children loved seeing the horse and opening the wonderful gifts. They look forward to playing with all their new toys,” said Seema Modhvadia, Corporate Partners Executive for Community Links

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

* Links are staging a Christmas lunch to raise funds for the appeal and buy new toys. Places for the nosh-up tomorrow have to 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.

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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.

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 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.

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