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Generous of Tunbridge Wells

The Mayor’s Toy Appeal was a great success in 2009, thanks to the generous people of the borough of Tunbridge Wells. Organised by St George’s Community Children’s Project, the charity raised Christmas gifts for 279 children, aged newborn to 17 years, for Christmas 2009.Christmas Tree

Due to the generosity of the public, and the hard work of all involved in the campaign, each child received three presents plus craft items and books (and for the younger ones - a soft toy to cuddle).

As well as all the school appeals, church toy services and collection boxes organised by local businesses around the borough of Tunbridge Wells, many gifts were also donated through the 'Giving Trees'; located at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Hotel du Vin, Royal Victoria Place, Trinity Theatre and Tunbridge Wells Gateway. Decorating the trees were tags to encourage donations of special items for individual children.

Pam Bridges, Organiser of the Appeal and Patron of St Georges Community Children’s Project, said:
‘ This year the appeal went very well, the helpers this year were so good that it was quite smooth to organise and the gifts were mostly new and related well to what was needed for the children. I think this year the press should be saying "Generous of Tunbridge Wells" and not "Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells". I would like to say a very big thank you to everyone involved behind the scenes and to all those who donated.’

The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Cllr Leonard Price, said:
‘We would like to give a most sincere thank you to everyone for their involvement in the twentieth Mayor’s Toy Appeal of 2009, run in partnership with the St George’s Community Children’s Project.

As always, Pam Bridges, without whose dedication and organisational skills the Mayor’s Toy Appeal would not exist, made an outstanding contribution again this year. We are indebted to her and to everyone who helped for their contribution to the continued success of the Mayor’s Toy Appeal, which is such an important campaign to bring some much need ‘Christmas Cheer’ to families in need.’

Last but not least, we'd like to say a big thank you to all the generous people, individuals, schools, churches, organisations and businesses who donated gifts or funds to the toy appeal. In particular to the individual who anonymously donated £500 again this year.