This Christmas, be the reason a child in need smiles with joy!

Many children in Newham are living in poverty and their families have to make heart-breaking choices between putting food on the table or warming up their home.

We’re launching our annual Toy Appeal so that despite their circumstances, children can still experience joy, and we need your help to make it happen!

Newham has the highest number of children living in poverty of any London borough. Through our work we know many families face increased hardship, or no recourse to public funds. Others struggle with longstanding challenges, from domestic abuse to long-term illness. But you can help us gift them a little joy during this festive season! 

We’ll use the money to buy carefully chosen, age-appropriate gifts for children aged 0 to 17 living in poverty. Our volunteers will dress up as Santa and his helpers and personally deliver the gifts to each child.

Stacey, Co-Director for Food & Families, says, “With grant funding opportunities becoming increasingly more difficult to access, more than ever we are relying on the generosity of our community to support local families who are struggling to meet the costs of basic needs. Weekly, we hear stories of families who have to survive on torches for lighting as they have no money for electricity to turn the lights on or parents skipping meals so that their children can eat. There is not enough money for even the necessities. This gift of a toy brings so much joy and shows the children that their community provides a culture where you don’t have to struggle alone.”

Thanks to your generosity, last year 198 children received presents! These are what some of the parents said:

I’m really thankful to have support from you. My daughters really happy. During Christmas time I’m struggling to buy gifts but you made my family smile.

My children were very happy when they received gifts from Bonny Downs. This is the first time they are getting gifts like this for Christmas. We wish that many more children will have the same success as my children in the days to come. May they be as happy as we are, so sending you lots of love and happiness.”

“Stacey sent my children Christmas presents when I was struggling to buy Christmas presents because I had no money, lots of thanks. My children liked it a lot.

The gift from Bonny Downs make a difference because l can’t afford them and I was given for free. Thank you and I really appreciate it.

Thank you!

 We are so grateful for your support. We also know that times are tough for many so if you are not in a position to give, we completely understand.

Please help us by sharing our appeal link instead! This can be through your emails, social media or whatsapp to your friends and family.

Further information

Please note that due to logistics we are unable to accept physical donations of toys this year.

In the event we raise more money than we need, we will allocate it to our wider charitable work.

Other Ways You Can Support Our Charity >>