Charities named as Shropshire Star Christmas gift appeal gets going

Telford & Wrekin Young Carers Service, Home Start Telford & Wrekin, The Harry Johnson Trust, and Hope House Children's Hospice are all seeking gifts for children and teenagers, while Age UK Shropshire and Telford is looking for gifts for older people.

Gifts can be dropped off at collection points at:

• The Shropshire Star head office at Ketley Business Park, Waterloo Road, Ketley, Telford, TF1 5HU

• Storage King in Archers Way, Battlefield Enterprise Park, Shrewsbury, SY1 3GA

Last year, the Shropshire Star teamed up with our friends at Storage King for our Christmas Toy Appeal, which saw almost 1,000 toys, games and other gifts handed over to children across the county.

This year we're looking to spread the joy further, by extending it to older people who might be feeling lonely at Christmas.

Representative of the five groups will be invited to a Christmas event held at Storage King's Shrewsbury base, where they will be presented with their gifts. It will also give them an opportunity to meet people in the community who might want to learn more about the work they do.

It is the second year running that Hope House and The Harry Johnson Trust will be taking part in the appeal.

The Harry Johnson Trust, set up by Sally and Stephen Johnson in memory of their son Harry who died from a rare form of cancer in 2014, aged just seven. It supports children and their families who received care from the children's cancer ward at The Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Hope House Children's Hospice, which is celebrating its 21st birthday this year, provides care for about 300 children with terminal or life-limiting illness at its base in Morda, near, Oswestry. It also has accommodation for up to eight children, with five family rooms.

Home-Start Telford & Wrekin is an award-winning charity which aims to give children from difficult backgrounds the best start in life. It is looking for toys and games to provide treats for the children it supports.

Telford & Wrekin Young Carers provides support for youngsters aged between five and 18 who care for a loved one. It is seeking gifts for all age groups.

Finally, Age UK is also on board with this year's gift appeal, and would like treats for the people who use the 40 day centres it operates across the county.

Chief fundraising officer for Shropshire Telford & Wrekin Ruth Brown said: "These day centres cater for some very vulnerable and isolated people, who otherwise might never leave their homes."

Shropshire Star editor Martin Wright said last year's Christmas Toy Appeal had been an unprecedented success.

"I'm delighted that we will be bringing a smile to so many youngsters once again this year, and also pleased that we have been able to extend this year's appeal to older people," he said.

"Last year's appeal showed how generous people in this county are, and I hope as many people as possible will be able to help by donating gifts for both the youngsters and older people."

Storage King managing director Sarah Hopkins added: "We are also appealing for businesses, venues and organisations to donate those presents, vouchers and gifts to help put a smile on a few faces."

The five charities:

Age UK

Age UK is looking for treats for older people who attend the charity's day centres across the county.

Head of fundraising Ruth Brown said the charity ran 40 day centres across the county, which catered for some particularly vulnerable and isolated people who might otherwise not leave their homes.

She said items such as chocolates and biscuits made ideal gifts.

"Toiletries also go down well, things like that," said Ruth.

"It would be really nice if people could support us by providing our day-centre users with treats."

The day centres seek to provide a friendly day out for older people who cannot easily get about.

Each centre is local to its area and they open one day a week, usually between 10.00am and 3.00pm. The majority include some form of activity, such as cards and games, crafts, guest speakers, gentle exercise to music and quizzes.

All day centres provide a hot two-course lunch and there are also occasional trips and meals out.

Telford & Wrekin Young Carers

Telford & Wrekin Young Carers was set up to provide support for youngsters who help care ofr a loved one, usually a parent, brother, sister or grandparent.

The charity provides a network of practical and specialist advice and invaluable support for young carers.

Volunteers offers practical and specialist advice as well as emotional support to children who have to deal with a range of situations such as disability, chronic illness, mental health difficulties or problems with drugs or alcohol misuse.

The charity is looking to treat the young carers, and manager Debbie Gibbon said gifts for all age groups between five and 18 would be greatly appreciated.

Based at The Glebe in Wellington, the charity was this year presented with Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest accolade a voluntary group can get.

Hope House

Hope House children's hospice in Morda, near Oswestry, cares for about 300 children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses.

Fundraiser Sarah Johnson said the charity was looking for gifts for youngsters of all ages, including computer games and DVDs.

She said anything musical would be popular, and interactive toys would also go down well. Soft toys are also popular with younger children.

The hospice ensures that the youngsters and their families are welcomed into a friendly, homely environment. The support offered includes physical, psychological and spiritual care from a team including experienced doctors, nurses and other care professionals. Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Home-Start

Home-Start provides support for the parents of young children who need support of one form of another to give youngsters the best possible start in life.

The charity supports parents of at least one child under the age of five who are dealing with issues such as isolation, sickness or disability, mental health problems, twins or triplets, domestic abuse or difficult relationships.

Home-Start offers support through a volunteer with parenting experience to visit families, usually on a weekly basis.

As well as practical support with things like shopping, getting to appointments and meal planning, the volunteers also offer emotional help. They will play with and listen to the children, and provide opportunities for outings and treats.

Home-Start is looking for toys and games to give to the youngsters.

The Harry Johnson Trust

The Harry Johnson Trust provides support for youngsters who are treated by the children's cancer ward at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital.

The charity was formed by Sally and Stephen Johnson in memory of their son Harry who died from a rare form of cancer in July 2014, at the age of just seven.

The ward treats children from across Shropshire and mid Wales who have been diagnosed with the disease.

Sally said: "Stays in hospital for children with cancer are often lengthy and uncertain.

"Children are confined to their own room or oncology area in the unit, and days can seem long and repetitive. "Children are separated from friends and siblings and their treatment can be painful and upsetting.

"Being able to give one of these brave children a little gift to help pass the time and provide a little bit of respite from treatment is a wonderful gesture, which means so very much to them."

She added that many parents had to give up work when their child had been diagnosed with cancer, meaning that they often miss out on gifts and treats.

Sally said she would be grateful for any new toys, still in their original packaging, for any youngsters up to the age of 18.

"The older children would like board games, Airfix kits, iTunes vouchers and book vouchers too," she said.

"We don't take soft toys as the ward has to be careful with materials that could carry infection, and unfortunately we can't take second hand toys or toys that are not in their original unopened boxes."