Santa’s Little Helpers Arrive In Marylebone For Kids Toy Appeal

Businesses across Marylebone have been acting as Santa’s little helpers for the area’s ill and deprived children by donating Christmas toys to local kids in need.

An area-wide Toy Appeal for our Smarter Giving project has resulted in over 505 toys being collected for 6 local children’s charities and causes. The cross-company area appeal has led to employees from 48 businesses adopting a nearby children’s cause and donating an extra special gift for a child. The Premier League, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, Lane Clark & Peacock and Revcap are amongst many big helpers who throughout December have been holding workplace collection points for staff to donate a toy for kids between ages 0 – 17 years.  For some, the giving didn’t just stop at dropping off a toy to a workplace collection point, with many volunteering to wrap presents and attend the Christmas party to help out with the fun and games.

NEWPIN, based in the heart of Church Street, provides services for families with children under 5. Many of whom experiencing depression, loneliness or are in need of parental support. Businesses based at 55 Baker Street as well as Streathers Solicitors and BBA Aviation collected gifts for the centre to the praise of centre manager Carol Smylie. “It’s really heart-warming to think that other people have taken the time to buy such lovely and thoughtful gifts. The children will have a great time and we know that all the gifts will be greatly received by our parents as well as their children”.

Lane Clark & Peacock, based at Wigmore Street, collected gifts for children from The Portman Centre and said “Staff at LCP have really enjoyed taking part in a toy appeal for a local children’s nursery.  By choosing and donating Christmas presents, we hope to have spread a little bit more Christmas cheer to local disadvantaged children!”

The COSMIC Ward at nearby St Mary’s Hospital received almost 300 toys and said  COSMIC’s Head of Fundraising & Communications Vicky Rees stated “We would like to thank everyone at Baker Street Quarter Partnership for their support this Christmas with their annual toy appeal. Many of the donated toys and gifts have already been used at our annual St Mary’s Hospital Children’s Christmas Party by Santa and his elves”.

We host campaigns throughout the year for our members to support the nearby charities and with so many children’s charities and community groups in need of an extra sprinkle of Christmas cheer its no surprise that the response for this appeal was so overwhelming. Newpin Family Centre, Portman Early Childhood Centre, IMPs, Fisherton Pre School, COSMIC Ward at St Mary’s Hospital and Church Street Community Christmas Party each needed toys for their local children, some of whom may not have received any others. Baker Street Quarter Partnership’s Member Events Manager, Dina Patel welcomed the generosity “Being able to give our business members a way to support local charities at Christmas has been rewarding for everyone involved’.