The Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal

Recently renamed in 2021 to honour our founder, the late Kevin Jenkins OBE who started the appeal in 1977 during his time at Community Links.

The appeal is now in its 46th year and is sadly still needed more than ever, reflecting the daily challenges that so many of our local children and young people are facing.

In Newham the stark reality is that over 50% of local children are now growing up in poverty, with all available evidence confirming that it is those most in need, who continue to suffer the most, experiencing deepening difficulties and cascading challenges.

The Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal supported by the Newham Recorder aims to provide a Christmas stocking of new gifts to open on Christmas morning, so that they can experience a real Christmas day, rather than just another day the same as every other.

Each child supported will be experiencing the ravages of poverty each and every day, compounded by their own combination of multiple difficulties and challenges, such as poor and/or temporary accommodation, food hunger, poor wellbeing, emotional needs, educational underachievement, behavioural difficulties, disability and/or additional needs, being a victim of personal abuse, violence or bereavement.

Every family supported will be facing significant challenges, struggling to make ends meet, with little or no income to provide any of the gifts and seasonal foods that so many of us are lucky enough to take for granted. Without support, a Christmas Day to enjoy would not be possible.

Each year we receive referrals from a unique combination of all Newham’s children and family support agencies and organisations including:

  • Children Social Services

  • Schools

  • Family Support Workers

  • Health Visitors

  • Community Mental Health Teams

  • Women’s Refuge’s

  • Homeless Shelters

  • Community & Support Groups

This combination ensures that the appeal reaches out to and helps the areas most disadvantaged, vulnerable and at risk children who are not being helped by anyone else

The appeal relies entirely on donations from individuals, businesses and companies as well as volunteers.

In conjunction to receiving a Christmas stocking, the young people referred to the appeal are also given the opportunity to attend one of our Christmas parties where they have the chance to take part in Christmas themed crafts, games, meet Santa and much more!

They also have the opportunity to attend one of our pantomimes, which are kindly hosted by two of our local schools, giving the young people the chance to see a show they would otherwise not have the chance to see.

Referrers can also put the families they work with forward for a festive hamper, which provides them with a combination of basic ambient food as well as some festive goodies which will help them throughout the festive period.

How can you help?

  • Donate a gift and drop off at our Hub in Canning Town - Terence Brown Arc, Hermit Road Park, Bethell Avenue, E16 4JT

  • Donate to our dedicated Just Giving page here

  • Purchase a gift from our Amazon Wishlist here

  • If you are a company or business and wish to volunteer contact us here

  • If you are a company or business and would like to collect toys for the appeal, we can offer a dedicated Just Giving page and Amazon Wishlist, contact us here for more information