Sefton’s Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal kicked off today with a generous cheque of £710 from the Council’s Sefton@Work service.

Local businesses and individuals raised the money by buying raffle tickets at the recent STAR Awards ceremony hosted in Southport by Sefton@Work.

Spreading Christmas Joy

Sefton Council runs the Mayor’s Christmas Toy Appeal every year, receiving a multitude of donations from generous local residents and businesses from across the Borough.

Every year the appeal grows in size. Last year it resulted in almost 1,300 local children opening a present from the Toy Appeal on Christmas Day!

Generous Community

The Mayor’s Toy Appeal asks residents and businesses to donate new and unwrapped gifts for all ages to ensure that no child in Sefton goes without this Christmas.

Sefton’s generosity means that children will not miss out on the special magic of the festive season. The toys and gifts go to families that the Council is aware may find the Christmas difficult this year owing to the current cost of living.

Brilliant donation

Receiving the cheque and kicking off this year’s appeal, Sefton Mayor Cllr June Burns said: “First of all, I want to say thank you to Sefton@Work and the local businesses and people who have supported our appeal for many years and who have again come up with a brilliant donation to kickstart the launch!

“It is fantastic to see local businesses and our Sefton community engaging with our appeal and showing their generosity yet again.

“There are families in Sefton who need a bit of extra help this Christmas and I know our community will come together as they do every year and donate what they can. Even a small donation goes a long way to ensuring that no child in Sefton goes without this Christmas.”

New and unwrapped toys, gift vouchers, toiletries, pyjamas and stocking fillers for all ages are welcomed as part of the appeal. Gift cards and toiletries are especially welcome for older children and teenagers.

Small Donation Goes A Long Way

Even a small gift or donation will go a long way and anything the people of Sefton can give, no matter how small, could make a child’s Christmas.

Cllr Burns added: “To help people who are not sure what to donate, the Council has produced some helpful gifts lists, for Babies and Toddlers, Primary Age children and those of Secondary Age.

“Suggestions range from jigsaws to jewellery, building blocks to bath bombs and from puzzles to pyjamas.

“People can find a link to the Gift Lists at www.sefton.gov.uk/toyappeal.”

There are drop-off points across the Sefton which are open until Monday 22nd December.

The full list of drop off points is also at www.sefton.gov.uk/toyappeal.