Christmas appeal receives 1,000 toys

Now in its second year, the Juice 107.2 Toy Appeal attracted more than 1,000 Christmas gifts for underprivileged children in Brighton and Hove.

The toys have been divided between six local charities: Salvation Army, Fun in Action, BUCFP, Brighton and Hove TUC Unemployed Workers Centre, RISE, and Brighton Oasis Project.

Pippa Atkinson, the toy appeal founder, said: 'This year we've had a phenomenal response. It's the second Christmas we've run the appeal and word is obviously getting out. We've had a lot of very generous donations from both individuals and companies.'

One donation was made by a family who had themselves benefitted from a Christmas appeal in the past; now in a position where they can give back, they donated a selection of toys, each worth £10.

A group of unemployed 16- to 24-year-olds enrolled in a Prince's Trust course fundraised for a whole day at the Holmbush Shopping Centre to raise money to buy toys for the appeal.

Local businesses have also shown their support; Domestic and General set up collection boxes at its offices in Queen Square, with employees donating more than 125 toys; Skerritts Wealth Management made a donation worth £2,000; Meers Group, MRL Consulting, and Brighton and Hove Albion also made big donations.

Nicki Perry, HR manager at Domestic and General, said: 'The thought of children going without is horrible and I'm so pleased we've been able help local families who are struggling this Christmas. A lot of our employees are parents and the appeal obviously struck a chord. We had a huge number of toys donated.'

The Salvation Army is passing on toys to those in most need, including asylum-seekers and victims of domestic abuse who have left their homes with nothing. Other charities have organised Christmas parties for underprivileged children, during which they are visited by Father Christmas and given their toys.

For more information, visit: www.juicebrighton.com/the-juice-107-2-christmas-toy-appeal