Christmas toy appeal to help struggling families

Volunteers in Devon have been rallying to gather toys for children so they do not go without on Christmas.

Wally Lake, the youth lead at Tavistock Rotary Club, said there were drop-off points across the town where people could donate pre-loved or new toys.

He said a group of volunteers collected donations for the Toy Recycling Project for about three weeks in November, before being displayed for people from Tavistock and the surrounding hamlets to choose from.

"The idea is to get children a toy so nobody goes without at Christmas," he said.

"We all like to have a present at some stage and to think people could go without is heartbreaking."

United Reformed Church on Russell Street allows the project to use its site until the end of the month

Mr Lake said the project had been running for three years and people were invited to come and look for toys for their children.

"The place was full to the brim with toys and books last year," he said.

"It is just a small thing we can do to help and we are relying on the generosity of the public rather than throw toys away.

"We are grateful... and if anyone else wishes to get involved with the project we would be delighted to see them."

Mr Lake said the team were already planning the logistics for next year as the volunteers were having difficulty storing the donations as they were "filling up everybody's homes".

The project can be contacted via [email protected].

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