Last year instead of spending money on a Secret Santa present we decided to support our local children’s charity, West Lothian Toy Appeal, by donating toys. We decided to do the same this year.
For most of us, the festive season is a happy time. But families all over the UK will struggle, especially during these unpredictable times. Last year, West Lothian Toy Appeal managed to help provide a bag of gifts to over 2,600 kids from over 750 families!
WHO ARE WEST LOTHIAN TOY APPEAL AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
The Toy Appeal started in 1984 and has helped over 71,000 disadvantaged kids in West Lothian since its inception. River Kids have managed the appeal on behalf of the West Lothian community since 2009 and last year they helped provide gifts to over 2,000 kids from over 700 families.
They receive referrals from agencies such as Social Work, Health Centres, Citizens Advice, Housing Associations, DASAT, Homeless Units, Primary and Secondary schools. They then collect donations of new toys and pass these on to the families to ensure that their child/children will have presents to open on Christmas morning.