Toy appeal reaches new high

More than 200 children living in poverty across Stirling and Clackmannanshire will wake up to toys this Christmas thanks to the Babes in The Wood Toy Appeal boosted thanks to Stirling City Radio.

The not-for-profit social enterprise launched its toy appeal last month in partnership with health visitors Home Start, Woman’s Aid and social workers who had identified a number of families in need.

However, staff located in the John Player Building in STEP, were dismayed when the tier 4 lockdown was announced, meaning they had to close their shop whilst in the middle of the appeal.

With only half of the target reached for toys when the shop closed, staff were worried they would be unable to fulfil their aim of giving every child a gift if people thought they would be unable to donate towards the appeal with the unit closed.

The management at STEP kindly stepped in and offered to receive donations at their reception (which remained open for essential businesses) and Stirling City Radio approached Babes in The Wood manager Linda Barrack to see if they could assist in promoting the appeal to help them reach their target.

Presenters on the community radio station promoted the appeal on their shows and the station promoted the appeal on their social media accounts. To the delight of Linda and her staff, toys started flooding in.

Linda said:“we wanted to ensure that no child woke up without a present on Christmas Day and we have had a phenomenal response this year.

“It has been a real bumper year for the toy appeal, and I am thrilled that Babes in The Wood had the backing of the whole local community to deliver our biggest and best response to date.

“Last year we provided three or four gifts per gift bag for 179 children. This year our 216 children will have six or more gifts in their bags, all specially selected for their age and developmental stage.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the success of the appeal and without question this has been assisted by the support we got from Stirling City Radio who I would like to give a huge thanks to.”

Stirling City Radio Station Manager James Russell said: “Everyone at the station was delighted to be able to step in and help promote the Babes in the Wood appeal to help families in need, bringing some joy to the lives of children this Christmas.

“I would like to thank all the presenters for their work in boosting this appeal and our listeners who very kindly made donations. We are proud that our station and our volunteers were able to help the wider community.”