Record number of toys in appeal
A RECORD 2,800 gifts were donated to the council’s annual Christmas toy appeal.
It means hundreds of disadvantaged kids across Rochdale will be opening presents on Christmas Day when they might otherwise have gone without.
Rochdale’s appeal, which asks the public to donate presents for children in care or from deprived homes, is organised by the council staff-run Giving Back charity.
Council lawyer Helen Leach, who helps run the appeal, said: “This year we’ve had more donations to our Christmas toy appeal than ever before.
“We’ve received well over 2,800 gifts, smashing our 2016 record of 1,500.
“The toys have now been sorted by our team of volunteers and are on their way to very worthwhile homes where they will bring a lot of joy this Christmas.
“For many households Christmas is a time of real pressure and hardship, but thanks to your generosity we can make sure that children in the borough don’t miss out on gifts when they wake on Christmas morning.
“I want to thank every single one of the Rochdale Observer readers who took the time and trouble to buy an extra toy and donate it to our appeal.
“Thank you also to The Rochdale Herald, JD Alexander Jewellers, the Odeon cinema and the Salvation Army who all donated gifts.
“Thank you to Tesco for assisting with our collection and all the council staff who gave up their own time to sort, unwrap, move and deliver the gifts.
“Every year our appeal depends on the kindness of strangers, and they never disappoint us.
“I have been really moved by the generosity shown to the children in our borough who are having a hard time but who will now, thanks to you all, have a much happier Christmas.”