Hundreds of donations for Christmas toy appeal

Local people have rallied round and donated an estimated 680 gifts to an urgent Christmas charity drive.

Through Lincolnshire Co-op’s Travel’s Toy Bank appeal, hundreds of presents have been delivered to 12 local charitable causes in time for Christmas.

Colleagues ran a ‘toy bank’ drive from Monday 8th November to Wednesday 1^st December. The campaign called on people to donate new toys at any of the society’s 14 travel branches. The gifts have since been delivered to good causes local to each branch.

Disadvantaged families in the area then receive the donations, often via welfare officers from schools or social services. Gifts are varied to suit ages 0-16 and include toiletries, cuddly toys, and gadgets for older children.

One of the causes to benefit is Bridge Church, based in Lincoln. According to the charity, it’s important that members of the community know that others are looking out for them at this time of year.

Senior Leader at Bridge Church, Sian Wade said: “There are always people who are needing help and luckily there are people willing to give that help, and this campaign gives people the opportunity to be proactive in their community support. Some individuals who received Christmas donations one year will come back and volunteer the next year; it’s a self-sustaining cycle of giving.

“The heart of Lincolnshire Co-op is being there for the community and that’s evident with Travel’s Toy Bank campaign. A huge thank you to everyone who donated to this vital cause.”

The festive campaign works in conjunction with Lincolnshire Co-op’s existing year-round initiative that offers customers the option of donating £1 to the cause when booking their holiday through the society’s travel agents.

Lincolnshire Co-op’s Travel Group Manager Wayne Dennett said: “We’re always blown away by the generosity of our customers and this campaign has proved no exception.

“Colleagues across the business have also been volunteering for these charities by wrapping and distributing gifts, and we’re proud to contribute to ongoing initiatives that are so important to the local community."