Toy appeal Help make a city child’s Christmas
PEOPLE across Bristol are being urged to pop another gift into their festive shopping basket to support the annual Bristol Post Toy Appeal.
The appeal, which has been running for more than 10 years, sees businesses across the city - including the Bristol Post office – set up collection points where people can drop off toys.
The appeal is run as part of the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children’s Appeal which raises £66,000 each year to help 1,650 disadvantaged families across the city.
Each family receives £40 in vouchers to spend on clothes, gifts and food for Christmas.
The toys are also handed out to families struggling during the festive season to ensure youngsters have gifts to open on Christmas morning.
Last year generous Bristolians donated hundreds of gifts to put a smile on the face of local children.
Chairman of the Lord Mayor of Bristol Children’s Appeal Bruce Simmonds said: “While many of us will be enjoying all the festivities of the Christmas season there are families across the city who are facing real hardship.
“It is these families which the toy appeal is here to help.
“We are asking the people of Bristol, when they are out Christmas shopping, to think of the appeal and pop an extra gift on their list.
“For a child who does not have much, having a gift to open on Christmas morning will be very special.”
Toys are collected for children aged 16 and under.
Mr Simmonds said: “We are appealing for a wide range of gifts that will suit a variety of ages from toddlers to teenagers. The people of Bristol have been incredibly generous in supporting the appeal in the past and we very much hope they will get behind us again in 2018.”
Funds for the Lord Mayor of Bristol Children’s Appeal are raised throughout the year at events including the Bristol Carol Concert which takes place at St George’s this year on December 6.
This year the concert is being run in partnership with the Bristol Post and community radio station BCfm. BCfm broadcaster Pat Hart will be hosting the concert with his wife, sign language interpreter and TV presenter Sherrie Eugene-Hart.
Headlining are local favourites and regulars to the event the Bristol MAN Chorus supported by Gurt Lush and Bold Brass.
Performing for the first time at the event is mezzo-soprano Rebecca Chellappah. Singer and musical director Alexandra Denman will also be performing along with Bristol based womens’ choir Sing With Soul.
People can get their tickets at https://www.stgeorgesbristol.co. uk/event/lord-mayor-of-bristolchildren-appeal-carol-concert/ .
Other funds to support the appeal come from a gala dinner and from collections by committee members. The appeal is also supported by local community groups including city rotary clubs. A collection point has been set up in the foyer of the Bristol Post offices at Temple Way for people to leave their donations.
The appeal runs until Tuesday, December 18, when the toys will be collected and distributed.
People can also donate to the Lord Mayor’s Children’s Appeal at www.lordmayorofbristolappeal.com.