Toys bring Christmas joy after our big appeal

And it's all thanks to generous Shropshire Star readers who have helped to bring some Christmas joy to youngsters in our region.

The final gifts have now been distributed.

The appeal, which was run by the Shropshire Star in partnership with Shrewsbury-based Storage King, yesterday ended on a high-note when Martin Carr, from Telford & Wrekin Council, visited the Ketley offices of the newspaper to collect the final toys which will be given to youngsters who use the authority's children's services.

Generous Shropshire Star readers brought a little festive joy to youngsters in hospital over the Christmas period thanks to their donations to our toy appeal.

The children's ward at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, which cares for youngsters across Shropshire, was presented with a hundred toys donated by our big-hearted army of readers.

Gifts

The appeal, which was run by the Shropshire Star in partnership with Shrewsbury-based Storage King, received about 1,000 donations from people across the county.

The gifts are now being distributed to organisations which work with children who will be spending the Christmas period in difficult circumstances.

Lisa Harries, play practitioner on the children's ward at the Princess Royal Hospital, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Storage King, the Shropshire Star and its readers for their generosity which has meant we've received 100 toys for our young patients to open over the festive period."

The ward received a further boost from the appeal, with an extra 50 toys going to children being treated for cancer.

The extra toys went to The Harry Johnson Trust, which supports youngsters receiving cancer treatment at the hospital.

"We're delighted to have received a further 50 toys from The Harry Johnson Trust, which was another of the beneficiaries in the toy appeal," said Lisa.

"It's not just the toy appeal that has supported us, as we've also been delighted to receive toys, games and presents for our young patients from many other individuals and organisations. Their donations are brilliant and we really appreciate them.

"We've been overwhelmed by the kindness of the community in the run-up to Christmas. Thank you to everyone for their continued support and generosity."

Caring

Other charities and organisations to benefit from the appeal include Hope House Children's Hospice in Morda, near Oswestry, Parents Opening Doors, which works with disabled children, and the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, near Oswestry.

The toys collected will be spread between Hope House children's hospice in Morda, near Oswestry, the children's unit at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital, along with The Harry Johnson Trust.

Founder Sally Johnson, who set up the charity in memory of her son Harry, said: "The toy appeal will make so many local children smile during an unimaginably tough time in their lives."

The children's services teams at both Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Councils will also distribute the toys to vulnerable and deprived youngsters, as will charity Parents Opening Doors – which supports children with disability and special needs

Climbing Out, a charity for young people who have suffered life-changing injuries, has asked that its allocation goes to the Salvation Army, whose members will give them as gifts to the poor and vulnerable youngsters they support.

Some of the toys will also go children who use the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry.

This is the first year the Shropshire Star has run its toy appeal and the drive for toys has been a huge success.

Readers have been donating in their droves, at drop in points at our offices, at Telford's Southwater library and even the Toys R Us branch at Meole Brace in Shrewsbury set up a collection point.

In Oswestry alone, 170 gifts were given through the enormous generosity of the people who live there.

The festive campaign in association with Storage King has been held to make sure that society's neediest children can enjoy the joy and happiness that Christmas can bring.

As well as directly helping children who need it, the Toy Appeal has been a chance for the Star to support the exceptional charitable work that takes place each year at different locations and charities across the county.

Homeless charities, community-based organisations, hospitals and others play their part in making sure that nobody is forgotten.

The staff and volunteers who dedicate their time over Christmas are the real stars, who give those they work with so much and dedicate their time to helping in their time of need.

There are groups dedicated to helping the elderly and making sure that vulnerable people are not alone on a day that can be so difficult for those who will not have their family around them.

But mostly, Christmas is about children and one of these gifts may give a child in need a memory that may last a lifetime.

It is within our grasp to do something to help others. Donating a toy or gift is the least that we can do to bring joy to the region's children.

The joy that a simple, unexpected gift will bring to such youngsters can do immeasurable good.

Shropshire Star editor, Martin Wright, said: "We have been humbled by the generosity of the people who have donated to our Toy Appeal.

A charity which provides support to children with disabilities and other special needs has collected 40 toys from the Shropshire Star and Storage King Christmas Toy Appeal.

Telford-based Parents Opening Doors, which organises activities and events for children with disabilities, collected 40 toys from Storage King's headquarters in Shrewsbury.

The charity's Debbie Hart said: "It will make a very big difference to the children.

"We as parents of children with additional needs know how our families benefit from any donations, and we are so grateful."

The appeal, which was backed by celebrities including pop star Peter Andre, former world boxing champion Richie Woodhall and Only Fools and Horses actor John Challis, was set up to bring a little festive joy to children across Shropshire and mid Wales who would otherwise be finding life difficult this Christmas.

Other organisations to receive the toys include Hope House Children's Hospice in Oswestry, The Harry Johnson Trust for children suffering from cancer, and the children's ward at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals trust.

The children's services teams at both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils will also give the toys to children living in difficult circumstances, while Climbing Out – a charity for young people who have suffered from life-changing injuries – has decided to donate its toys to the Salvation Army.

"The amount of toys we have been given has been staggering, and I am sure they will bring joy to children who most need it this Christmas.

"We would like to send out our warmest thanks to everyone who has taken part and wish all of our readers a Merry Christmas."

Alison King, operations assistant at Storage King, thanked everyone who had donated to the appeal.

"We would like to thank everyone who has donated to the Christmas toy appeal," she said.

"We have been absolutely stunned by the generosity of Shropshire.

Telford-based Golden Bear toys donated two large boxes of toys to the appeal, and Harmesh and Susan Jassel who run Hadnall Village Stores, near Shrewsbury, also donated a large collection of toys. Lee Wallace, of Shrewsbury Electrical Wholesalers donated a £200 Toys R Us gift voucher, while Telford Kleeneze agents Andrew and Janet Mitchell handed over 90 gifts after asking their customers to make donations.

Janet, who has been running the franchise with Andrew for 16 years, said they had been wanting to do something for charity for some time. "When we read about the appeal we jumped at the chance of getting involved," she said.

"We have given to Barnardo's before, but they really wanted cash donations, and we thought it was better to be asking people to give presents.

"Also, we wanted to do something for children in Telford."

The GMB Union made a donation of toys with a value of £1,000, giving the collection a phenomenal boost.

The appeal, which was launched at the start of November, received celebrity backing with pop star Peter Andre, former world boxing champion Richie Woodhall and Only Fools and Horses star John Challis lending their support to the campaign.

Speaking during the collection, Mr Challis said: "There's been an outpouring of generosity, which has been fantastic to see.

"People from all parts of the county have donated toys that will make Christmas very special for youngsters who might otherwise be left with nothing.

"The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Mid-Wales."

Alison King, operations assistant at Storage King, thanked everyone who had donated to the appeal.

"We would like to thank everyone who has donated to the Christmas toy appeal," she said.

"We have been absolutely stunned by the generosity of Shropshire. I never thought that we would raise over 800 gifts to pass on to our selected charities and hospitals, so to be able to give even more than imagined is such a wonderful thing.

"I have personally met with the charities and hospitals and they are all so thankful for the donations.

"These gifts will make some young adults and children very happy this Christmas."