Generous people of Burnley thanked for making sure annual Christmas Toy Appeal is a bumper success

Residents, schools and businesses across the borough have thrown their support behind the annual Burnley Christmas Toy Appeal.

To date 850 children in 365 families will be waking up to new toys and presents on Christmas morning.

And appeal organisers expect that figure will top 1,000 as there is still three days to go before the appeal ends and gifts are continuing to flood in.

A staggering 2,500 gifts have been donated and bought for the appeal this year as the community came together to help the hundreds of families who have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. From toys and games to kindles and gift sets, the generous donations mean children will receive three presents each from the appeal.

Launched 25 years ago by the Salvation Army and the Burnley Express, this year the appeal has been run by the Burnley Together partnership of Burnley Council, The Calico Group, Burnley Leisure, BFC in the Community and many more organisations all pulling together to make it a success.

Burnley Express editor Chris Daggett has sent out a huge 'thank you' to everyone who has supported the appeal.

He said: "2020 has been a very difficult and challenging year but the good people of Burnley have come out in full force to support the Christmas Toy Appeal, as they always do.

"These gifts will mean the world to so many families."

Pupils at St Mary Magdalene's RC Primary School collected 100 gifts for the appeal and £500 was raised through a raffle held on a facebook group called Burnley Virtual Christmas Market which was launched to showcase local traders. Raffle founder Lucy Whitehall used the cash to buy a bumper selection of gifts including Lego, books, make-up, hat and glove sets and hair accessories.

The Burnley Together 'elves' had the task of sorting through the presents received through the Amazon Wishlist and staff at Burnley Leisure also raised cash to buy toys and gifts with their own 'Secret Santa' initiative. The organisation has also pledged to provide vouchers so that children and their families can take part in activities such as swimming, mini golf, holiday clubs and pitch and putt.

Touched by the appeal Burnley based JCS Interiors became involved and bought over 50 toys, 60 selection boxes and numerous boxes of biscuits and chocolates.

Ringstones Construction donated £600 worth of gifts that have been split between the appeal and Burnley Community Kitchen.

Pupils and staff at Cliviger's St John the Divine threw their support behind the campaign by collecting presents for the appeal and also for the food bank. The school is also acting as a collection point at the start and end of the school day.

The appeal is also asking people to shop local and support Burnley businesses during what has been an unprecedented year for so many. Any business that would like to be added to the present appeal directory is asked to email [email protected].

If you would like to donate a gift to the appeal the final day for donations is this Friday (December 18th)

For more information about the appeal, including the locations of the 14 drop off points across Burnley, and how to make a donation, please click HERE