Toy appeal asks for your support to help create more smiles this Christmas

Giving Back Charity Member Helen Walton helping sort the gifts last year

Rochdale Borough Council will soon be seeking donations to this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal, which helps make sure local children living in poverty have presents to open on 25 December. 

The annual appeal organised by the council’s staff-run ‘Giving Back’ charity for the past five years, will be collecting donations from Wednesday 13 November.

They ask residents and staff to buy one extra present – a new, unwrapped gift suitable for a child between 0-16 years-old - and leave it at a local library or other collection point by Friday 13 December.

Council staff, who distributed over 2,000 toys last year, will then make sure they reach the borough’s less fortunate children in time for Christmas Day. Since 2015 the appeal has provided much needed festive cheer for thousands of children and teenagers.

Council policy advisor, Helen Walton, from the Giving Back charity, said: "This appeal relies on the collective kindness and generosity of people and businesses in our borough, and every year it is heart-warming to see how many care enough to take part and donate.

“I am so grateful and I know the children it helps will be too. For many households, Christmas is a time of real pressure and hardship, but I want to make sure no child in the borough misses out. We will ensure all your gifts go to very worthwhile homes locally and those that receive them get a lot of joy during what may otherwise have been a very meagre Christmas.”

Toys can be dropped off from Wednesday 13 November until Friday 13 December at any library in the borough. There are also collection points at Tesco Rochdale, Heywood Civic Centre, Bowlee Sports Centre, Littleborough Sports Centre, Middleton Arena and Touchstones Museum in Rochdale town centre.

Gifts for 0-16 year-olds are all welcome, but especially presents for teenagers as these were low in number last year.

For details and opening times of your nearest drop off point, visit: 

• www.rochdale.gov.uk/features/christmas/Pages/christmas-toy-appeal.aspx