You did it! Hundreds of children to benefit from Toy and Food Appeal

 

Families in and around Stoke Newington have donated 1,120 new gifts for children living in poverty in Hackney and over 500 meals for people in need.

 

The Winter Toy and Food Appeal, which was run by family website StokeyParents in partnership with estate agency Location Location, received a record response and is providing much-needed help for those experiencing deprivation.

 

Now a team of volunteers are working with the Ivy Street Family Centre to sort and distribute the toys to children in most need via a network of social workers, hostels, a women’s refuge, family centres, the police, schools, a children’s hospital ward, the food bank and a hospice.

 

More than 376 kilos of food (around seven car loads) was donated to Hackney Food Bank.

Jenna Fansa of StokeyParents, who coordinated the appeal, said: “The quality and quantity of toys donated this year has been incredible. To witness such generosity from so many people within one community for families they don’t know and will probably never meet has been very moving.

 

“We live in one of London’s most polarised boroughs – it’s heart-breaking and a sad sign of the times that some families can’t afford to eat. I hope this appeal will ease the pressure slightly for hundreds of local families this winter and that they’ll feel the warmth of a community who care greatly for their wellbeing. We received so many gifts that the Ivy Street Family Centre are able to reach many more children than previously planned via even more organisations.”

 

Gifts included a new bike, boxes of Lego and Playmobil, construction toys, Disney, science and magic kits, watches, dolls houses, fancy dress, cars, dolls, MP3/radio players, clothes, stationary and much more.

 

Jenna added: “I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated. The gifts are passed on to families by each agency; so parents get the pleasure of giving something new and special to their child.  The appeal wouldn’t have been possible without the kindness of Location Location who helped massively with publicity, gave very generously and sacrificed their floor space for a month. Our thanks also go to children’s café That Place on the Corner who were another drop-off point for toys.”

 

Mind the Gap, a local night-club event raised £330 for the appeal and a charity children’s concert this Saturday (December 12th) by Tiny Time Music at Stoke Newington’s Boiler House Community Space will also raise funds.

 

Some pre-loved toys have also been collected for local charity Growbaby and The Ivy Street Family Centre and these will be given to families throughout 2016.