Christmas toy appeal makes final plea for donations

Very appealing: Azhar Patel from estate agents Location Location (R) and Jenna Fansa from Stokey Parents (L) with gifts donated so far

A group collecting toys for less well-off Hackney children is calling for more donations.

For the second year StokeyParents, a local family website, is running a toy and food appeal for families who cannot afford to give toys to their children or cook a Christmas meal this winter.

Time is running out and they still have half-way to go to get all the presents needed to give to the intended 800 children this winter.

They will deliver all food donations to Hackney Foodbank and gifts to Ivy Street Family Centre in Hoxton, who have identified struggling families through social workers, a women’s refuge, hostels and other centres.

The appeal has up to now generated fewer presents than last year, Jenna Fansa, founder of StokeyParents, told the Hackney Citizen.

“This year we’ve had better toys but fewer. We’ve been given over 300 gifts so far.

“But there are at least 800 children in Hackney that might not get a toy this winter. Please give new toys by this Saturday.

“It would mean the world if people could give whatever gifts they can and we’ll make sure they go to a good home. The presents are delivered to the parents to give to their children.”

Hackney has the second highest rate (41 per cent) of child poverty of any local authority in the UK, according to campaign group End Child Poverty.

Angela Large, manager of The Ivy Street Family Centre, said: “Many of these families feel no-one cares about them and the idea that someone has done something so kind to help them really lifts their spirits.

“These gifts make their day, particularly for those who are living in really awful conditions.”

All present: Jenna Fansa with donations in 2014

The appeal is also collecting much-needed supplies for Hackney Foodbank. The foodbank team expects to feed 400 people this Christmas time but need more basic provisions.

Food donations are in high demand across the borough, which has an extremely high proportion of children living in food poverty.

Roughly 35 per cent of the borough’s schoolchildren are eligible for free school meals – double the national average.

Ms Large said: “[Some children] may not be able to enjoy a Christmas dinner – many will eat whatever’s in the cupboard – but having a special gift to open makes a real difference.”

Gifts and food can be donated at Location Location Estate Agency, 18 Stoke Newington Church Street, or at That Place on the Corner on Newington Green before 5 December. Visit StokeyParents for more information.