Rochdale’s Christmas Toy appeal returns to bring festive cheer to struggling families

Tuesday, 12 November 2024 15:50

By David Murphy

Rochdale Borough Council’s staff-run ‘Giving Back’ charity is now collecting donations to this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal, which helps make sure local children who are less fortunate have presents to open on 25 December.

The annual appeal, organised by council staff for the past eleven years, is accepting donations until 13 December.

Council policy advisor Helen Walton, from the Giving Back charity who started the appeal and was recently awarded a British Empire Medal for her work on it said: "We are already receiving request for donations and heat or eat will be a real choice for many families this winter and Christmas will be something they just can’t afford, so every donation we receive goes to a child who would otherwise be likely not to have any presents to unwrap. We rely on the generosity of people and businesses in our borough, and together we can make a difference for the borough’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children at a time when it is most needed.”

To help, all you need to do is donate an unwrapped, new gift suitable for a child up to 16 years-old and leave it at your local library or Your Trust leisure centre by Friday 13 December. Gifts for babies and teenagers would be especially welcome as fewer were received for these age groups last year. There are also extra collection points open at the Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure destination (management office on first floor), RRG Toyota on Edinburgh Way and the Crown Oil Arena.

Council volunteers, who distributed over 6,000 toys last year, will make sure they reach the borough’s less fortunate children in time for Christmas Day. Toys are matched with the age and interests of the recipient. Since 2013 the appeal has provided much needed festive cheer for thousands of children and teenagers.

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Helping a parent or carer provide a gift for their child is more than simply financial support, it brings the joy of Christmas into their home and this appeal helps provide local children and families with gifts who would otherwise likely go without. Sadly our Christmas Toy Appeal is needed more than ever but every year I am humbled to see so much generosity - if you can buy at least one extra present, you’ll really bring some joy to a local young person.”

As Christmas raises awareness of the excess and waste created, once again organisers are asking people to consider donating a more environmentally friendly gift and supporting local shops where they can.

You can also order a gift online and send it straight to the appeal. The address is: Giving Back - Christmas Toy Appeal, Rochdale Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU. Gifts will need to have been received by Friday 13 December.

The appeal is organised by the ‘Rochdale Giving Back’ charity in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Football Club and Your Trust.

Some local businesses and organisations have already stepped up to support the appeal, including STM Agency, Rochdale Football Club and Rochdale Riverside.

If your business can support the appeal then please email the team on toycollection@rochdale.gov.uk

Find out more about the appeal at rochdale.gov.uk/ChristmasToyAppeal

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