Justin Tomlinson MP will be using his community office to collect toys for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Appeal. Many Salvation Army centres across the UK will be running a Christmas Present Appeal. You can support your local Christmas Present Appeal by donating new unwrapped toys and gifts for children, families, older people and homeless people in need this Christmas.
All you have to do is bring it along to Justin’s office on the Orbital Shopping Park (First Floor, Customer Service Hub, SN25 4AN) which is located by the rear car park. The toys will then be taken to the Salvation Army where the gifts will then be wrapped and distributed to those in need.
The Salvation Army has made the following suggestions for suitable gifts:
- 0-3 years: dolls, teddy bears, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes, puzzles
- 3-5: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, DVDs and CDs (music and nursery rhymes), colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles
- 5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs & family friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, word search, crosswords
- 9-12: games and toys, stationery, CDs, DVDs, books, T-Shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats
- 13-16: CDs, DVDs, books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, T-Shirts, hair accessories
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Christmas for many of us is a time for spending time with our loved ones, enjoying the festive season and reflecting on all we have to be grateful for. But as we embrace good tidings, it is important to reflect on those who are less fortunate than ourselves at this time. This year millions of young people across the world will not wake up to presents, and this is made more unfortunate given that such a small act of kindness can result in making a young person’s Christmas truly special. It is for this reason that this year, my office is taking part in the Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal. From now until mid- December, my office will be operating a toy collection centre. Anyone with toys they are wishing to donate would need only drop them into our office and we will be taking them all to the Salvation Army. Over many years, the scheme has helped millions of children and young people have a special Christmas by giving donated gifts. By giving a gift to our Christmas Present Appeal you can make a real difference in someone’s life at Christmas.”
*Please bring the gifts by Friday 9 December as we want to ensure sufficient time to get them to the Salvation Army
