School’s Toy Appeal helping families in need at Christmas

Thousands of gifts are being donated to local families in need thanks to Tonbridge School’s annual Toy Appeal.

Over the past few days boys, parents and staff have been bringing in a range of new or nearly new toys, books, baby clothes, gadgets, games, DVDs and many other items, which will find their way to children and teenagers who might otherwise receive very little this Christmas. 

The Toy Appeal is being organised by the school’s Tonbridge Community Action Group, with gifts being distributed to local charities and youth groups. Lots of parents pitched in at the school on Friday (30 November) to help sort out the mass of donations and place them into different categories.

Juliet Burnett, the school’s Community Action Manager, said: “It is hard to understand the scale of the local need for such support. Social workers have made us aware of families who are struggling just to provide the basic essentials for their children, and who have nothing spare for any gifts.

“As ever, there’s been a wonderful response from the school community and I’m very moved by the commitment and generosity shown to help families in difficulties.”