Joy for charities as Christmas Toy Appeal breaks all records

Almost 1,400 toys and gifts were handed over to youngsters across the county in what has been a record year for the appeal, a joint initiative run by the Shropshire Star and Storage King.

The donations were shared between Hope House Children's Hospice in Morda, near Oswestry, The Harry Johnston Trust for children with cancer, The Movement Centre which works with children with cerebral palsy, Telford Young Carers, and the children's ward at Princess Royal Hospital.

Staff and volunteers from the organisations left with vehicles loaded up to the brim after attending a handover event at Storage King's base in Shrewsbury.

Computer tablets, train sets and expensive radio control cars were among the goodies handed over.

The tablets were among a huge haul of items donated by big-hearted Michael Middleton, who brought in a collection of gift bags for the children, each with their own Christmas card.

The Falcon Hotel in Bridgnorth collected more than 200 gifts for the appeal ­– including a large number of Star Wars toys which went down very well with the charities – while youngsters from Charlton School in Wellington delivered 160 gifts and toys to our offices in Telford last week.

Staff at Moba UK and Heinz Kraft, both in Telford, also donated toys to the appeal.

Sue Puntis, of Telford Young Carers, was thrilled with the gifts she took away to give to youngsters who look after a loved one.

"The young carers of Telford are ordinary children and young people carrying out an extraordinary role," she said.

"They spend all year looking after loved ones – typically it's mum or dad, although it could be a brother or sister.

"At Christmas it is like the icing on the cake, to the support we give them, to know that people appreciate and admire the job they do.

"They really appreciate that people are thinking about them, and what they do.

"Thank you very much to everyone who donated to the appeal, these gifts will be so appreciated."

Rachel Lewis, of Hope House, reckoned the fancy-dress costumes would be a great addition to the hospice's dressing-up corner.

She was delighted with the number and quality of gifts available this year.

"It's wonderful for the children in the hospice, and because there are so many this year some will also go to children living at home, including those receiving bereavement counselling, and the siblings of children with illnesses, who can also find it difficult," she added.

Lisa Harries, of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS trust, said many of the presents would be left at the foot of the children's beds, ready for them to open on Christmas morning.

"We put them at the end of the children's beds so that when they wake up, it's as if Santa's been," she said.

"A lot of children who are in hospital at Christmas worry that Santa won't know where to go."

She said while it can be difficult for children who are in hospital over Christmas, the staff go to great lengths to make it as much fun as possible.

"There are lots of visitors coming in at that time, and our staff try to give them the best Christmas they possibly can, while still staying professional," she added.

Vicky Handbury-Madin, of The Movement Centre, had her eye on a some small Minnions toys, which she said would not only make the children very happy, but would also help with their treatment programmes.

The centre, based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, offers pioneering treatments to children with cerebral palsy and other conditions which restrict their mobility.

Vicky said: "When the children are doing their therapy, there's a lot of reaching involved.

"If they have got something fun to reach with it's much easier."

She added: "It's so lovely when the children get these gifts, it makes it a fun and special time.

"It's a really special occasion when we hand over these presents.

"When you see the look on their faces it is amazing.

"It's so incredible the generosity of so many people. As a small charity, we would not be able to afford so many gifts for our children of such good quality as this."

Sally Johnson, founder of the Harry Johnson Trust, was amazed by the generosity of people who supported this year's appeal.

At the moment the charity, which Sally and husband Stephen set up in memory of their son Harry who died from cancer at the age of seven, is providing support for about 50 children with the condition across Shropshire and Mid Wales.

She said: "It is overwhelming that people have been so generous, it means that so many children will have presents because of their generosity."

Sally said that Christmas can be a difficult time for families when a child has cancer, as one or both of the parents may be forced to give up work to look after the youngsters. She said it could be a struggle for parents to buy presents, and the brothers and sisters were also affected.

It is the fourth year the Shropshire Star has teamed up with Storage King to hold the appeal.

Heartfelt

Editor Martin Wright said: "The Christmas Toy Appeal is always one of the highlights on the calendar, and it is a privilege to be able to help youngsters at this special time of year.

"However, this year's appeal has exceeded all expectations, and our heartfelt thanks go to everybody who has so generously donated."

Darren Hall, regional manager of Storage King, said staff had been overwhelmed by the success of this year's appeal.

"It's heartwarming how, with so much going on in the world, that people still have the capacity to give so generously at Christmas," he said.

"Storage King is grateful to have been able to work with the Shropshire Star again to make Christmas special for so many children."

Organisation which shared Toy Appeal donations

The Harry Johnson Trust

This charity was set up by Sally and Stephen Johnson in November, 2014, in memory of their son Harry who had died in July that year from a rare form of cancer.

Harry, who was seven, died after a nine-month fight with double hit non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

The trust offers help and support to children and teenagers who receive care from the oncology team at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

At the moment the charity is supporting about 50 children and their families across Shropshire and Mid Wales.

It provides treats for youngsters such as meals at restaurants and cinema tickets, and also gives them gift vouchers to buy toys to pass the time at hospital.

“Treats like this often stop due to the financial pressures families often face if one parent stops work to care for the poorly child,” says Sally.

The Harry’s Hampers scheme provides the families of children admitted to hospital with essentials such as toiletries which are often forgotten in the rush.

It also provides short breaks for children who have been given terminal diagnosis.

The Movement Centre

Based at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Gobowen, The Movement Centre offers pioneering therapies to youngsters with cerebral palsy and other conditions that affect their movement.

“A lot of the children who come here will learn to walk during their time with us,” says head of fundraising, Victoria Handbury-Madin.

“It’s incredible when you see that.

“But we also have children here who have been unable to sit up without holding themselves each side, if they move one of their hands they fall over, which is obviously difficult for them as they can’t do anything.”

“Some children who have attended the centre for nine to 12 months have gained head control, which enables them to interact with their family and friends, or have been able to sit unaided so that they can play.”

All of the children who visit the charity have a disability, such as cerebral palsy, which affects their movement control.

The therapy, known as Targeted Training, helps children gain functional skills and independence, which can truly transform their lives.

Vicky says the youngsters often defy the expectations of doctors with the way they respond to the treatments.

Hope House Children’s Hospice

Hope House 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.

The charity provides respite and end-of-life care at both the hospice and, where possible, at the family home.

It also provides support such as counselling, advocacy and the promotion of children, young people’s and carers’ rights.

Youngsters and their family are welcomed into a friendly, homely environment.

Physical, psychological and spiritual care is provided by a team which includes experienced doctors, nurses and other care professionals.

Bereavement support is offered to all youngsters and their families.

This support can also be given to children and teenagers who have experienced a death of someone close in traumatic circumstances.

Telford Young Carers

This organisation provides support to children who care for a loved one who suffers from a serious illness or disability.

Typically this is a parent, although it can also be for a brother, sister or grandparent. In many cases the youngster will be the only, or the main, carer for the relative.

The project supports hundreds of children aged from five to 18, by providing information, advice, guidance and respite activities for the children to have fun away from their caring role.

The charity says one in 12 young carers provides more than 15 hours of care per week, while about one in 20 miss school because of their caring responsibilities.

The charity was recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2016.

Based at the Glebe in Wellington, Telford Young Carers has five staff and 27 volunteers.

Princess Royal Hospital children’s ward

No child wants to be in hospital over Christmas, but the staff at Princess Royal children’s ward do all they can to make the time as special as possible.

Play practitioner Lisa Harries is one of a team that tries to keep the youngsters entertained over the festive period.

Each child is given a Christmas present to open on Christmas morning.

She said while it is always difficult for youngsters spending Christmas in hospital, Lisa says staff do their best to create a fun environment.