Parish rallies round with gifts for toy appeal
DISADVANTAGED children across Bristol will be tearing the wrapping paper off presents this Christmas morning – thanks to parishioners at a city church.
Supporters of St Aidan’s Church in St George arrived at the annual Christingle and Toy Appeal service weighed down with gifts for the Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal.
Each year a toy collection is held at locations across the city as part of the appeal, with the gifts being handed out to disadvantaged youngsters.
A collection is also taken at the service, with proceeds going to the Lord Mayor’s Children Appeal.
The church, at Fir Tree Lane, has been supporting the appeal for many years.
Church spokesman Sheila McKay said: “It is a lovely service and everyone is so generous in bringing gifts in to support the appeal to make sure disadvantaged children across Bristol have gifts to open on Christmas morning.”
The toy 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 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 help to put a smile on the faces of local children.
Toys are collected for children aged 16 and under.
Funds for the Lord Mayor of Bristol Children Appeal are raised throughout the year at events including the Bristol Post carol concert.
Other funds 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 office at Temple Way for people to leave their donations as well as at DAC Beachcroft at Portwall Place.
The appeal runs until December 18 when the toys will be collected and distributed.
People can also make donations to the appeal by sending a cheque made payable to The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal, to 3 Park Crescent, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1PD. You can also donate online at www. lordmayorofbristolappeal. com.