The Macclesfield Express is backing an appeal to ensure every needy child across the town is given at least one Christmas present this year.
The Christmas Toy Appeal , run by the Community and Voluntary Service (CVS) Cheshire East, aims to provide toys and gifts to families and children who may be facing an extra hard time at Christmas.
However the appeal, which has been running for four years, has become so popular the charity has been unable to provide a present for every child registered, and is looking for help from Macclesfield Express readers to help meet the shortfall.
Sally Davies, marketing manager for CVS, said: “We originally set up the appeal because AstraZeneca wanted to donate some toys to needy children, so we helped facilitate some groups who would benefit from it.
“As it’s got bigger we have had more organisations asking for help.
“Last year we supplied toys and gifts to 60 local organisations who worked with children and families, but we still had a waiting list of those we couldn’t help. So 2015 is the first year that we are asking the public for donations of toys for children of all ages which have now started to arrive at the various drop off centres.”
Last year, with the help of generous donations from staff at AstraZeneca in Alderley Park and Canalside’s The Thread, 1,600 toys were distributed to organisations across the borough, with Barnardo’s Cheshire Domestic Abuse Service, Macclesfield Cradle Concern and Broken Cross Children’s Centre among some of the Macclesfield groups to benefit. But with the help of the Express, organisers are hoping to ensure that this year there is enough toys to go around all 3,000 children who have been identified by community groups.
Sally added: “Please, please donate to our cause and bring a toy or gift in new or perfect condition to one of the drop off points by December 14. We need toys for all ages, from babies, to children, to teenagers.”
The charity is asking generous members of the public to buy and extra present this Christmas and drop off toys in new or perfect condition to its two drop off points in the town by Monday, December 14.
You can drop your presents off at MAC Multi-Activity Centre, Goodall St, or call ahead to deliver toys to the CVS Cheshire East office, at 81 Park Lane, on 01625 428301.
There are also collection points in Crewe, Congleton and Sandbach.
