A couple who moved to the Isle of Wight earlier this year, bring with them their goodwill and generosity.
Deborah and Daniel Rooke have ambitious plans to help Island children in poverty by setting up a Christmas Toy Appeal.
They told the County Press they felt compelled to set up the appeal after they “discovered 1,570 children under four, and overall 22.5 per cent of children living on the Island, are living in poverty”.
Support the appeal
Readers are being urged to join in the goodwill and donate a new unwrapped toy or gift to the Christmas Toy Appeal (see below for the many official drop-off points).
The gifts will then be wrapped and distributed by volunteers to children in need across the Island, some of whom apparently have never received a single present in their short lives.
Bestival founder, Rob da Bank, who has got behind the appeal said, “Living on the Island and having young children myself, this Appeal is very close to my heart.
“It’s heartbreaking that some babies and young people may not get any Christmas presents this year, so I hope that some of you can possibly buy an extra present this year and drop it at one of the locations around the Island.”
How to donate
Gifts must be new and unwrapped (and please don’t forget to include batteries if your gift requires them!) and suitable for ages 0-16.
As this will be the only gift received by many of these children, organisers do suggest that a price range of between £10-£20 would be appropriate wherever possible please.
Where to donate
Newport Library
Ryde Library
Cowes Library
Freshwater Library
Ventnor Library
Sandown Library
Shanklin Library
Bembridge Library
East Cowes Library
Brighstone Library
Isle of Wight Radio (8-10 Dodnor Lane, Newport)
Isle of Wight County Press Office (123 Pyle Street, Newport)
Sainsbury’s, Newport
Sainsbury’s, Sandown
Sainsbury’s, Freshwater
Sainsbury’s, West Cowes
Tesco, Ryde
The Royal Hotel, Ventnor
For further info please e-mail [email protected]
