Community Links Christmas Appeal

Posted: Friday 9 December 11, 11.38am GMT

Community Links is based in Newham, East London, one of the poorest and most deprived urban areas in the UK, where 55% of children live in poverty. Throughout the year Community Links organises clubs, activities and services for over 3,700 disadvantaged children each week.

Our Christmas Toy Collection aims to provide for each child referred, a bag of gifts to open on Christmas morning. Children are referred by a unique combination of East London’s caring agencies and family support groups including Social, Health, Education and Probation Services, Women’s Aid, Gingerbread and the Association Against Domestic violence, ensuring that the Community Links Christmas Appeal helps those most in need at Christmas. The Christmas Appeal helps children aged between three months and fifteen years old. Already we know of many especially needy children who will be receiving nothing this year, for them our Appeal is their only hope of a happy Christmas. At the moment none of these children are looking forward to Christmas. Please help us to change this.

The difference that your help will make to so many is perhaps best summed up by the words of one young mother who on receiving a bag of gifts last Christmas said:

“I can feel like a real mum now and on Christmas day my children will fell like real children. thank you so much”

Cash or cheque donation

If you would like to make a cash or cheque donation (payable to Community Links) – We will convert your generosity into toys, games and books

If you would like to purchase a gift

Gift Guide

The Appeal aims to provide a bag of gifts for each child to open on Christmas morning, which are appropriate for their age and needs, ensuring your donation really does make a difference.

 Children who receive the gifts range in age from 3 months to 14 years
 Try to buy gifts that have both play and educational value to the child
 Please do not buy war toys or toys that promote violence
 Buy gifts that have the Lion Mark CE to show they are child friendly and safe for use by children within the specific age groups given
 Gifts might include…

− First Toys – For the new born to 3 yrs i.e. rattles, rollers, etc
− Early Years Toys (3-5 year olds) i.e. shape sorters, push/pull toys, blocks, etc
− Annuals
− Musical Instruments
− Story Books (all ages)
− Pen and Drawing Set
− Dolls and Accessories
− Paint by Numbers
− Craft Kits
− Box Games (all ages)
− Construction Sets
− LEGO
− Cars
− Fuzzy Felts
− Disney Toys
− Jigsaws (all ages)
− Soft Toys
− Model Kits (all ages)
− Footballs