Spread some festive cheer this year

A Winter Toy Appeal which collects new toys for Haringey children and families in need of a little extra financial assistance, help and support is marking its 10th anniversary.

The appeal, run by the Local Buyers Club in partnership with Location Location estate agency, typically reaches around 5,000 children in North and East London – children who would be unlikely to receive a new gift otherwise.

Haringey Council is among the agencies distributing the toys to children in need.

Residents can order a toy via the Haringey Wish List (external link), buy a new toy at Soup Dragon in Crouch End (*use the code WINTERTOYAPPEAL to access the 20% discount for online purchases at Soup Dragon) or donate new toys at participating libraries.

This year, with the cost-of-living crisis impacting families hard, organisers are bracing themselves for the toughest winter yet.

Jenna Fansa, co-founder of the Local Buyers Club, launched the appeal with her husband Basil when their son was a baby.

She said:

When you run charitable appeals like this, it’s natural to hope that one day things will improve and the need will go down – sadly that hasn’t been the case. 

Year on year since we launched, the agencies which refer to us have more children who meet the criteria for a gift. I’d urge everyone who can to donate.

The Leader of Haringey Council, Cllr Peray Ahmet, commented:

This winter is likely to be another really challenging time for some of our families here in Haringey, who continue to be hardest hit by the ongoing Cost of Living crisis.

We continue to do all that we possibly can to provide assistance and support to those residents through initiatives like the Haringey Here To Help scheme.

As a mother to a young child myself, I know that Christmas can be a magical time of the year for our littlest ones and Haringey is blessed to have fantastically strong community support.

If you can, it would be great if you could support this Winter Toy Appeal – your present could make a Haringey child’s Christmas, help support a family in need and put smiles on people’s faces.

Among the Haringey libraries taking part in the Appeal and collecting donations of new toys are Alexandra Park, Coombes Croft, Hornsey, Marcus Garvey, St Ann’s, Stroud Green and Wood Green.

Toys purchased via the Amazon Wish List will be sent to Wood Green Library (187-197 High Rd, London, N22 6XD)).

Or you can order toys for the appeal online at Soup Dragon (external link) (use the code WINTERTOYAPPEAL for 20% off) – toys will be kept in store for the council to collect.

Money raised via a GoFundMe page (external link) is spent directly with independent toy shops in London for toys for children across the capital.

Businesses, residents and supporters are being urged to spend around £15 on a gift – for many children, this is the only toy they’ll receive at Christmas and organisers are keen to ensure gifts are roughly of equal value and feel substantial and special.

How to donate:

• Order via the Amazon Wishlist (external link)
• Shop in store at Soup Dragon in Crouch End (please leave donations in store for the team to collect)
• Shop online at Soup Dragon (external link) (use the code WINTERTOYAPPEAL for 20% off) – your donations will be kept in store and passed on to the council.
• Donate NEW toys at participating libraries: Alexandra Park, Coombes Croft, Hornsey, Marcus Garvey, St Ann’s, Stroud Green and Wood Green.
• Donate to the Appeal’s GoFundMe page (external link)

For more information about the appeal, visit the Local Buyers Club's Winter Toy Appeal website (external link).