Salvation Army appeals for donations for annual Christmas toy appeal in Newark and Sherwood

An annual toy appeal is now underway, with the aim of providing every child with a present to open on Christmas morning.

Every year Newark Salvation Army runs its toy appeal, accepting donations of toys, chocolate and toiletries to send out to struggling families during the holidays.

A team of volunteers will spend next week sorting through items and sending out gifts — with any donations welcomed.

Matt Elsey, leader of Newark Salvation Army, said: “The toy appeal is in response to children and families that don’t necessarily have the means or aren’t in a position where they are able to afford toys.

“We work with social workers, schools and charities in the area to find families that do need help and we try to give every child a few presents to open.

“We see the issues people face all the year through the work we do, be it gas and electric top ups, providing white goods or clothing.

“You only need to talk to a food bank to know that the squeeze is a reality for many families and last year our appeal had doubled in size since the start of covid.

“But what I have experienced is that when there is a crisis, be it the pandemic, cost-of living, austerity, people’s generosity doesn’t go away — it’s fantastic.

“Last year we were able to do toys for just over 650 children, which when you consider each child receives a a few presents each, that’s thousands of toys.

“It is incredible — that’s around 300 families being helped that would have otherwise have to make those hard decisions.”

Chocolate and sweets are handed out to every child, with those under 12-years-old receiving toys, older children are given vouchers to spend and baby packs are also available to those who need them.

The Salvation Army is looking for donation of new and unwrapped presents, so that they can be assessed and given to the correct children — this also provides parents with an opportunity to wrap their own child’s gift.

Gifts suitable for children under three, from three to five-years-old, five to nine-years-old, and nine to 12-years old are required.

Donations can range from books, puzzles and pencils, to teddy bears, bath toys and games.

Every Christmas hundreds motorcyclists from across the district take to the roads of Newark and Sherwood dressed in Santa costumes, riding decorated bikes as they prepare to deliver toys to the Newark Salvation Army.

The annual Salvation Army Toy Run had been due to take place on December 3 but was cancelled due to heavy snow — it will now take place on Sunday, December 17 from 11am.

Riders will gather at The Waggon and Horses pub in Bleasby, before making their way through Fiskerton, Rolleston and Staythorpe, joining the A617 at Averham, before arriving in Newark and riding down London Road towards the Salvation Army church in Balderton.

Matt said: “We are incredibly thankful for their support, it’s become something much more than just delivering toys.

“The bikers come from all over the place and particularly at Christmas, getting out on the road and being able to give something back is a win-win.

“The sun has always shined, it makes people smile and it provides quite a spectacle for residents — you’ll hear the bikes coming before you see them and for us it really does kick of the toy appeal.

“It’s a brilliant reminder that their is good in the world.”

The church leader also said it was heartwarming to see support for the appeal from the community at a time of added pressure for all.

“The reality is that this stuff is ongoing, but Christmas highlights it and can be a really emotive time of stress,” said Matt.

“That line between surviving and thriving can be quite thin, but there is a lot of generosity in Newark.

“We have kids who tell their parents to spend some of the money that would be spent on them, on toys for other children.

“There are a lot of companies locally have been gathering presents for us.

“And we had a lady come in who said she had been given a present by the Salvation Army when she was young and now that she was in a position to help, she wanted to give a gift to a child, just like she had received.”

If anyone is interested in volunteering with the toy appeal, they should contact the Salvation Army office to find out how they can help.

Over the festive period, the Salvation Army will also be holding charity carol concerts and serving a dinner on Christmas Day for those that are on their own or in need of a hot meal.