The Salisbury community has given in a big way for this year's Salisbury Great Toy Appeal, donating hundreds of gifts and thousands of pounds.
The Salisbury Great Toy Appeal was launched on Salisbury Radio in mid-November, hoping to help just over 500 children who may have gone without a Christmas present this year.
Local people and businesses have come together and smashed all the targets set by the appeal, with well over 600 children now set to benefit from the gifts collected by organisers.
Around 900 toys are now being distributed to families struggling financially by the Salisbury Pantry and the Old Sarum and Longhedge Pantry, with surplus toys also being distributed by other organisations to families known to them.
The appeal, put together by Shaun and Cathryn from Ozweld International, raised over £5000 in cash donations, which were spent during a trolly dash at Smyth Toy Superstore in Salisbury and hundreds of other presents have been donated by individuals and local businesses that were dropped off at collection points around the city.
Gifts range from books and art sets to remote-controlled cars and dolls, and even a hobby horse will land with one child this Christmas.
The total value of toys now being distributed is estimated to exceed £10,000.
The cost-of-living crisis has left many families relying on food banks and pantries to help them get by every week. With hundreds of families registered at the two pantries covering Salisbury and Old Sarum and Longhedge, the gifts donated are helping relieve some of the financial pressure.
The team at Old Sarum and Longhedge Pantry has also wrapped all of the gifts donated to them - they and a group of wrapping volunteers gathered at Salisbury FC's Ray Mac stadium on Sunday morning. They made short of work of wrapping hundreds of gifts.
Salisbury Radio has helped promote the appeal and, through their advent calendar, raised £2000 towards the appeal. Breakfast show presenter Craig Hicks said, "The response has been phenomenal. Once again, Salisbury has shown its generosity and community spirit when others struggle in many ways. The amount of toys that little people around the area will unwrap because of the toy appeal this Christmas is amazing.
"A huge thank you to Shaun and Cathryn for being the driving force behind this; without them, Christmas would have been a little less magical for so many."
Cathryn from Ozweld International said, "It's just mind-blowing what has been achieved in such a short space of time; the number of toys and presents being distributed is amazing."
“We want to thank everyone who has supported the appeal. Individuals, local businesses and other organisations. Amazing!”
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