TOYS & TEENS APPEAL 2017

Reading Family Aid’s Toys & Teens Appeal has now finished for 2017, and we are over the moon to report that it’s been another hugely successful year!

Thanks to the immense generosity of the people of Reading, this year we were able to give gifts to 1,400 children from 600 local families, helping to make their Christmases a little happier.
​
We had 31 public donation points situated all over the Reading area, collecting toys from the general public during the period 19 October – 4 December.

In addition to this, a record number of businesses, offices, schools, faith and social groups organised their own collections. All in all we estimate we received over 10,000 quality toy donations and filled well over 700 sacks full of toys!

With the help of 135 volunteers (including the Mayor!) and a team of 15 van men to collect, sort and pack up the toys, we were able to ensure the gifts were delivered to families, via their social workers, health visitors etc. in time for Christmas.

Reading Family Aid Chair, Wendy Howell commented: “We were absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Reading this year. Thanks to the support of each and every individual, company, school, faith and social group who donated to the Toys & Teens appeal we were able to provide over 1,400 local children with quality gifts in time for Christmas. We are also hugely thankful for the support of our sponsors, to all of the many Donation Points for taking in the toy donations, and to the many many volunteers, whose help during the toy packing week was absolutely essential. We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas!”

---