Long-time supporters of the Standard’s Christmas Toy Appeal are the staff and customers of the Marks and Spencer store in Dumfries.
The shop is celebrating its 40th year in the town and for more than half of that time it has always backed the region’s longest running toy appeal – making them both a popular institution.
Store manager Tracy Clifford is keen to encourage as many shoppers as possible to join in the appeal this year.
The High Street street outlet has a Christmas tree near the coffee shop with its branches festooned in our distinctive tags – and you’ll see our collection point poster displayed.
The red tags bear the Christian names and ages of children in need of a Christmas gift.
All you have to do to join in is to take one of the tags from off the tree and buy an age appropriate present to which you add the tag – no need to wrap – and place it in the collection basket.
It is not the only collection point.
You can leave your donated toys and chocolate in the collection boxes marked for the Dumfries and Galloway Standard’s Toy Appeal at Morrisons, Dumfries; Tesco, Cuckoo Bridge; Tesco, Peel Centre; the Nationwide Building Society, Church Crescent; the Crichton Central and Easterbrook Bistro.
There are now just three weeks for donations to be handed in to our six collection points and we know that it is a major ask this year amid the cost of living crisis and industrial disputes.
Sadly, the reality is that there are children in our region who won’t get a gift to unwrap on Christmas morning without your help.
Last year, thanks to our readers and businesses, organisations, workplaces, families and individuals digging deep, we were able to ensure that more than 800 children had the chance to experience that joy on December 25.
We liaise with agencies who provide the lists of underprivileged children caught in the poverty trap through no fault of their own and we sincerely believe they deserve to enjoy a Christmas gift like every other child.
Please help us make that happen.
We are looking for gifts for babies to teenagers.
Whatever you can give will make a huge difference – but they need to be handed in by Monday, December 11.
So, please give what you can and do it as quickly as possible.
We are looking for any suitable toys for boys and girls and from newborns to teenagers; baby gifts; reading and colouring books; crayons/pencils/felt tips; board games, and sensory toys, or vouchers.
And we need donations of chocolate and sweets, from selection boxes to tubes and packets.
In keeping with health and safety measures, it is essential this year to make sure:
No second-hand toys;
Toys must be new, unused and sealed, boxed or tagged;
Please DO NOT wrap toys in Christmas paper.
Our own offices in Park Lane are closed, so please do not send cash or donations there.
Supporters may want to make a cash donation this year rather than have to shop for a toy and you can do this directly into our bank account at the Bank of Scotland in Dumfries either in branch or online using BACS.
You just need to know that the Standard Toy Appeal account number is 10856666 and the sort code is 80-22-60.
Cash or cheque donations can also be handed in at: Tesco, Cuckoo Bridge, marked ‘Dumfries and Galloway Standard Toy Appeal FAO Anne Croucher’, or Morrisons, Dumfries, marked ‘Dumfries and Galloway Standard Toy Appeal FAO Myra Smith’.
Tomorrow, there is a BuyByeBaby Market being held at The Bridge in Dumfries from 10.30am to 12.45pm with plenty of stalls, treats from The Snooks, freebies and free cookies for kids.
Organisers have offered to donate new items left over at the end of the event to the toy appeal from the stallholders who are keen to
help.
Admission to the market is £1.50 adults and free to kids with more details on their Facebook page.
In addition, Anne Croucher, community champion at the Dumfries Tesco Extra store is holding a Christmas Craft Fair under the outside cover of the building’s canopy on Saturday, November 25, from 10am to 2pm, which will boost the Toy Appeal too.
Anyone who would like a stall, for a £5 fee, should call Anne at 07885287195 with the proceeds going to the toy appeal.
There will also be a collection bucket for cash donations too on the day.
Anyone can also drop off any donated new toys in our collection box inside the store (near the till) any day of the week.
We would like to hear from any organisations or businesses who want to make a cash or cheque donation, gift toys or give 50 selection boxes.
If you can help please email: sharon.liptrott@reachplc.com or call 07917516142.
