Gift donations needed as part of festive appeal

A Horsham charity is calling on the community to donate presents to its biggest Christmas appeal following a rise in the numberoffamilies needing support.

It is being run by The Salvation Army in Horsham which this year has received a third more referrals from schools, health visitors and social services who identify families in need of help this festive season.

Major Iain Stewart, who leads The Salvation Army in Horsham with his wife Ann, said: “Every year we ask people to donate new toys and gifts to our Christmas present appeal so we can distribute them to families whose children would otherwise not receive a gift.

“This year, we are seeing the number of families needing help is rising dramatically as a result of the pandemic’s impact on already tight family budgets.

“Last year, we supported more than 500 children with toys and gifts and their families with food. We’ve already received requests for support for families totaling more than 800 children plus 450 adults ahead of Christmas 2020.

“I’ve been helping The Salvation Army bring Christmas to families for whom it might otherwise not happen for 13 years, and this year the need is the biggest I’ve ever seen.”

The Salvation Army would be grateful for financial donations through its Justgiving site to help them purchase gifts for children and vouchers to put a meal on the table for the family.

Donations of brand new unwrapped toys and food vouchers or supermarket gift cards are also welcomed until December 4.

Donations can be dropped at The Salvation Army Horsham, Booth Way, Depot Road, between 9.30am12.30pm, Monday to Friday, or call 01403 254624 to arrange another time.

The Government has confirmed that travelling to drop of donations in kind is a permitted activity as a voluntary act and all gifts will be quarantined as part of strict Covid-19 measures. For this reason it would be helpful if donations could be made as soon as possible.

Gifts can include anything from soft and educational toys for the very youngest child, to games, toys, books and accessories for older children. In particular gifts for girls aged 2-15 and boys aged 2-12 are required.

To donate, visit https:// w w w. j u s t g i v i n g . c o m / fundraising/tsa-communitysupport-000438