Two Rivers Housing team dig deep for Christmas Toy Appeal
Our team have donated almost 130 presents to help make sure that every child gets a gift this Christmas. The team have been supporting the Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Appeal, for a number of years now helping some of the most vulnerable families in our communities.
We know that the cost-of-living crisis is still impacting families in our communities, and many families are struggling to pay the bills – leaving little in the budget for Christmas presents. The Christmas Toy Appeal is designed to ensure that no child wakes up without a gift on Christmas day.
The Salvation Army work with local authorities and other charities in the area to support families in crisis. So far this year, they have had more than 370 children referred to them, many of whom will spend Christmas in emergency accommodation or away from their homes.
Hayley Selway, who joined us as our new Chief Executive on 1 December, met with Major Vivienne Prescott as she collected the gifts from our Rivers Meet office in Newent.
Speaking about the donation made by the team, she said: “I’m so proud to be part of such a generous and thoughtful team. The thought of any child waking up on Christmas day, in a strange environment, with nothing to open it utterly heartbreaking and I’m so pleased that we have been able to support the Salvation Army and the important work it does.”
Major Vivienne Prescott from the Salvation Army thanked the team for their donation. She said: “The Salvation Army in the Forest of Dean are so grateful that once again Two Rivers Housing have supported our Christmas Toy Appeal through the generous giving of their team.
“Every year we are moved by the number of gifts and the quality given. The commitment to ensure that no child goes without toys at Christmas is one that is shared with you and with our community, we could not make this happen without your generous and loving response. So once again thank you.”
The gifts will be delivered to children across the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire ready for Christmas morning.