School’s Christmas Toy and Gift Appeal marks a decade of support for the community

The School’s annual Toy and Gift Appeal is helping to deliver some Christmas joy to nearly 200 local families in need.

Towards the end of term boys brought in hundreds of donations of new or ‘as new’ toys, books and games suitable for children aged up to 18, in response to this year’s appeal.

On the morning of Tuesday 5 December, a team of volunteer staff and parents set about the enormous task of sorting everything into age categories.

Bags were filled for every child and included a main gift as well as some books, art materials and smaller toys.

Each family is referred anonymously to the scheme via a third party such as social services, Early Help workers, primary schools, children’s centres and local charitable groups. Referrals are also made by DAVSS (Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Services), the Tonbridge Child Contact Centre, Kent County Council and local young carers supported by the Imago charity.

In addition to the toy collection, Tonbridge parents donated more than £3,500 in order for children’s presents to be purchased. Thanks to this funding, the Tonbridge Community Action team was able to add hundreds of footballs, art sets, craft materials, toiletries and items of clothing to the gift bags.

Juliet Burnett, Tonbridge’s Community Action Manager, said “When we started this appeal ten years ago, we could not have imagined the scale and scope of the scheme we now run.

“It is always an uplifting day when we sort through donations and a privilege to be able to support so many local families. We cannot thank our generous parent body enough for helping to provide some Christmas cheer for many in our community. “

This year the School also asked for donations of coats. Mrs Burnett added: “We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, and as a result many gift bags also contained children’s warm coats. The rest will be given out at the festive Fruit and Vegetable Market we are running, when families referred from food banks can come and choose all they need to help make a Christmas feast.”

Boys from Tonbridge Community Action’s Wednesday afternoon volunteering scheme took one of this year’s donations, a huge toy dog, to the Sensory Room at Princess Christian’s Farm, in nearby Hildenborough, where it now has pride of place. This room was built and equipped by the School as part of this year’s Giving Day activities.

Photos show ‘sorting day’ following this year’s Toy and Gift Appeal.