Salisbury toy appeal launched for children in need

The appeal, which was launched on Salisbury Radio on Monday, November 13, aims to provide a Christmas present for children from families who might otherwise go without.

The community is being asked to help make a child's Christmas a little bit more special.

(Image: The Salisbury Great Toy Appeal)

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Cathryn Osmond from Osweld International, one of the people behind the appeal, said: "It's been so hard the last few years. So many families are struggling across our community, and a lot of people won't ask for help.

"I don't think any child should ever miss out on Christmas, you know, the excitement of opening a new toy.

"And so we just sort of decided, let's try and reinstate the great toy appeal and give a child a Christmas."

The cost-of-living crisis has left many families relying on foodbanks and pantries to help them get by on a weekly basis.

With hundreds of families registered at the two pantries that cover Salisbury and Old Sarum and Longhedge, the appeal aims to help these families make their Christmas a little more magical.

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Gemma Phillips from the Old Sarum and Longhedge Pantry added: "Every child deserves a magical Christmas.

"It doesn't have to be hundreds of pounds worth of toys or anything like that, but something to open on Christmas and to have that experience of Santa... just that magical feeling that we all had as children.

"Why should this generation of children miss out because of something completely out of their hands?

"We are working with Oswald International and the pantry in Salisbury to try to get every child a toy."

Local businesses have already signed up to support the toy appeal, acting as collection points and donating to the cause.

You can purchase an extra present this Christmas and drop it off at one of the drop-off points, or you can also donate via the JustGiving Page.

Once the money has been collected, the team will complete a trolley dash at Smyths Toys in Salisbury before the presents are handed over to the pantries.

The toy superstore in Churchill Way West is supporting the appeal by helping the team with the trolley dash and donating money to the cause.

You can drop a present off at the following locations: Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm, Fexco Property Services, JCP Engineers, Ozweld International, Pro-Tyre, Porton Garden, Aquatic & Pet Centre and Snow Bar.

The deadline for donating to the toy appeal is Friday, December 13, so toys can be sorted before the pantries distribute them.