Toy appeal asks for your support to help make sure local children have a gift to open this Christmas

Amanda Price and Elisha Mahmood from Rochdale Borough Council helping collect gifts last year, when over 2,500 were donated and delivered

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, is now accepting donations as of Friday 6 November.

They ask residents and staff to buy one extra present – a new, unwrapped gift suitable for a child between 0-16 years-old. Due to national coronavirus restrictions, the normal drop off points won’t be open this year so you are being asked to post your gift, or order online and send it straight to the council’s main office, Number One Riverside, by Friday 4 December.

Council staff, who distributed over 2,500 toys last year, will 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 depends entirely on the 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. This year has been like no other, and we know through our work with food banks and in the community that the day to day challenges felt by many local families have only got tougher as a result of the pandemic.  

"It can be a time of real pressure and hardship, making Christmas a struggle for many reasons. I still want to make sure that every child in the borough wakes up on Christmas morning with a present waiting for them and with your help we will do everything in our power to make this happen.

"We’ll ensure all gifts go to very worthwhile homes locally and I know from experience how much joy your thoughtful gifts will bring.”

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

“Organising this year’s appeal in the middle of a pandemic is certainly more challenging, not least because our usual collection points have been forced to close, but 2020 has been such a tough year for so many that we’re more determined than ever to deliver some Christmas magic,” added Helen.

Due to the national coronavirus restrictions, drop off points won’t be open this year so you are being asked to post your gift, or order it online and have it delivered straight to the appeal. The address is: Giving Back - Christmas Toy Appeal, Rochdale Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU. Gifts will need to have been received by Friday 4 December.

To find out more about the appeal visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/christmas