• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Monday November 11 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Accountancy firm opens its doors again to become collection point for Toy Appeal

Accountancy firm Haines Watts has volunteered its premises again as a collection point for the annual Swindon Christmas Toy Appeal, which launches today (Monday, November 11).

The appeal is now in its eighth year and has supported thousands of children from low-income and vulnerable families. In 2023, more than 27 per cent of Swindon households with children under 13 were living in poverty.

Last year’s appeal helped 322 families and gifts were given to 620 children helping their parents and guardians to avoid taking out loans to cover the cost of Christmas.

“We are delighted that the Haines Watts team has again come forward to bring this appeal to reality,” said Dawn Prosser, who is the toy appeal coordinator.

“This appeal relieves so much stress for families already under huge financial pressure.”

This year, churches, businesses, schools, and organisations will collect donations of new toys for children aged from birth to 17 years. Families will be nominated to receive presents by agencies in the town, and by participating churches or schools.

Referred families will then receive a personalised voucher which they can redeem at churches around Swindon in the two weeks running up to Christmas.

Anna-Marie Healy, regional marketing manager for Haines Watts in the South West said: “We are happy to be supporting the Swindon Toy Appeal again by becoming a collection point for donations of new toys.

“The need is great, and the people of Swindon are always so generous with their support for the children that benefit from this appeal.”

The appeal will run between Monday November 11 and Monday December 1 and the Haines Watts office is one of 12 collection points around the town.

Doors will open at 9am on Monday at Old Station House, Newport Street, Swindon, SN1 3DU. Opening hours are Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Pictured: Emma Skinner, Martin Gurney, Sue Plumb and Mike Lloyd, partners at Haines Watts