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Hundreds of donations made to Shropshire Star toy appeal
The Shropshire Star Toy Appeal campaign 2018 was a huge success.
An incredible lunchtime saw hundreds of gifts pour into the Shropshire Star office and Storage King Christmas Toy Appeal within the space of a few minutes.
A group of six youngsters from Charlton School in Wellington delivered 160 gifts into the reception the head office in Telford – just moments after a group of workers from Moba UK brought in a further 40 gifts worth a total of £235.
Meanwhile, over at Storage King in Shrewsbury, a school from Whitchurch brought in dozens more gifts, while Ian Middleton brought in a massive hoard of presents suitable for youngsters of all ages.
The gifts, which included toys, games, biscuits, books, stationery and toiletries, will be shared out among five different groups at a special handover ceremony in December.
Charlton pupil Chloe Ballantyne, 16, said she and her schoolmates had been delighted to help with the appeal.
“Everybody should have a nice Christmas, and everybody should get something for Christmas,” she said.
“We know that we are privileged, and we want to help children who might be living in difficult circumstances.”
Maisie Neill, 15, added: “We wanted to make a difference.”
Eimutis Bartkev, who works at Moba, in Red Lees, Ketley, said he had supported a similar appeal to help children in his native Lithuania last year, but wanted to do something to help youngsters closer to home.
“I found out about this in the Shropshire Star, so I asked the people at work if they could give some money so we could buy some toys.”
The appeal aims to bring a little joy to children who might otherwise find Christmas a difficult time of year.
In 2018, the Shropshire Star supported five different organisations, including The Movement Centre in Gobowen, which provides therapies for children with cerebral palsy; Telford Young Carers which supports youngsters who care for a loved one; and The Harry Johnson Trust which provides help for children being treated for cancer. Hope House Children’s Hospice at Morda, near Oswestry, and the children’s ward at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust will also benefit.
