Wilmslow Rotary Club overwhelmed by toys for children in need

Christmas toy and shoebox appeals have been launched again by Wilmslow Rotary Club.

And the response from the local community has been overwhelming.

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Little ones are being asked to think of less fortunate youngsters.

Secretary Ian Bradley said: “We describe it as a box full of smiles from a child to a child.

“The aim is very much a gift from a young person to another young person.

“We get a great response working with a number of organisations such as nurseries, schools and other organisations.”

Wilmslow Rotary Club secretary Ian Bradley, centre, collects toys donated by staff and children at Pepperberry Day Nursery (Image: Wilmslow Rotary Club)

Every year members deliver RotaToy boxes to various organisations for kids to fill with new and preloved toys for local children in need.

Children at Pepperberry and House of Rompa nurseries, Alderley Edge School for Girls and Handforth Youth Centre have already made generous donations.

An extra appeal was launched last year for toys which do not fit into a large shoe box, particularly aimed at the growing number of young children and teenagers in need.

Ian said: “The Department of Work and Pensions estimates that around four million children currently live on poverty.

“This is 27 per cent of all children.

“Many children will not get much for Christmas so we try to do something about that.”

Donations can be dropped off at Handforth Youth Centre on Old Road on weekdays from 10am to 4pm, until Monday, December 11.

Please mark bags ‘Santa’.

Toys will be distributed by Wilmslow and District Rotary through local charities to families in need.

Rotarians work with charities such as Samaritans, the Tree of Life and a charity for parents who are victims of abuse.