Christmas toy appeal to help struggling families

Wally Lake wearing a grey anorak on the left and Nigel Ellis wearing a burgundy jumper on the right. They are both stood in front of a boot full of donations Image source, Chris Ellis
Image caption,

Volunteers are collecting toys so children have a present to open in Christmas Day

  • Published

Volunteers in Devon have been rallying to gather toys for children so they do not go without on Christmas.

Wally Lake, the youth lead at Tavistock Rotary Club, said there were drop-off points across the town where people could donate pre-loved or new toys.

He said a group of volunteers collected donations for the Toy Recycling Project for about three weeks in November, before being displayed for people from Tavistock and the surrounding hamlets to choose from.

"The idea is to get children a toy so nobody goes without at Christmas," he said.

"We all like to have a present at some stage and to think people could go without is heartbreaking."

Image source, Chris Ellis
Image caption,

Wally Lake said the church was "filled to the brim" with donations last year

United Reformed Church on Russell Street allows the project to use its site until the end of the month

Mr Lake said the project had been running for three years and people were invited to come and look for toys for their children.

"The place was full to the brim with toys and books last year," he said.

"It is just a small thing we can do to help and we are relying on the generosity of the public rather than throw toys away.

"We are grateful... and if anyone else wishes to get involved with the project we would be delighted to see them."

Mr Lake said the team were already planning the logistics for next year as the volunteers were having difficulty storing the donations as they were "filling up everybody's homes".

The project can be contacted via ToyRecycleProject@outlook.com.

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