Toy Appeal - toys and tins are on our Christmas list

For the fifth year running Rotherham Council's Children and Young People's Services and Rother FM are launching an appeal to provide Christmas food hampers and toys for Rotherham children and families in need.

With the help of organisations like Parkgate Shopping and Holiday Inn Rotherham and the generosity of people living and working in Rotherham, it is hoped to surpass last year's delivery of food and toys to hundreds of needy children and families as well as helping organisations such as Rotherham's Children Centres. 

The Appeal got underway on Monday November 8 with the launch of Parkgate Shopping and RotherFM's 'giving trees'. Four trees are being placed around the shopping complex where anyone can go along, collect a gift tag and buy a suitable present for the age group and gender of child specified on the tag.

On Monday November 22, a Giving Tree will also be placed at Holiday Inn Rotherham for anyone wanting to join in with the Appeal.

In addition, the Holiday Inn Rotherham and Rotherham Town Hall will be acting as a collection point where people can drop off their new toys and tins throughout December.

During the first week in December, Council employees are also be asked to bring tins of food to work or making cash donations which will be turned into Christmas Hampers ready for Christmas delivery.

Councillor Paul Lakin, Cabinet Member for Safeguarding and Developing Learning Opportunities for Children said: "Many families across Rotherham have enjoyed a better Christmas thanks to the generosity of Rotherham people who have supported our appeal in the past and now we're urging you to help us again and make this festive season even more special."

Any companies, organisations or individuals who want to get involved can contact Ann Levick on 01709 336351 or by email at ann.levick@rotherham.gov.uk