The toy appeal was started 22 years ago with a social worker and Pam Bridges who was then a Nursery Nurse here at St George’s Community Children’s Centre. The association with the Mayor’s office started with Arthur Sayer in 1989, when it became the Mayor’s Toy Appeal and run together with St George's CC Project, the Social Services and the other referring agents Health Visitors, Probation Officers etc.     

Each year, the appeal has grown and is now a large operation and we are tremendously grateful for the ongoing support of the Big Yellow Storage and Westfield Shopping Centre along with all the shops, businesses, clubs, schools and churches who help us by being collection points and or donating gifts.

The appeal would not happen without the tremendous support of all of volunteers who give their time freely at a very busy time of year to ensure Christmas is a magical time for all children in our local Borough.   

In 2010, 281 children received gifts from the appeal.   

More information on the 2011 Mayor’s Toy appeal will be posted later this year. In the meantime, please contact Islay O’Hara for any further information.