The ELBA and BIG Alliance Toy Appeal 2022

The Toy Appeal is an annual event where we ask for toys to be donated to children in East London and Islington. The toys are distributed to children that, because of their circumstances, would not receive a toy at the end of the year. It is not right that in some parts of east London, over 50% of children live in poverty. We believe that every child deserves to feel the joy of opening a present at the end of the year.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a significant adverse impact on families being affected by illness, isolation and loss of jobs, exacerbated further this year by the cost of living crisis.

Each toy that ELBA purchases is between £10 and £15. The children that receive the toys are between 0 and 16 years old so we will be purchasing everything from rattles and comforters, to lego, to sports equipment for older children. Due to the current cost of living and energy crisis, we are looking to expand the scope of support offered to the children, family and community partners we support through this appeal. This might include retail vouchers, clothes, school supplies, energy credits, toiletries, digital devices and more.

The toys are distributed to ELBAs community partners in east London and Islington. All these organisations work with families and children who are experiencing hardship for different reasons. This includes families that are fleeing domestic violence, living in emergency temporary accommodation, refugees, and children with disabilities and additional needs. The organisations we support include hospital wards, womens refuges, food banks, adventure playgrounds, childrens centres and any organisation working with vulnerable children and families.

It is a sad reality that over 200,000 children in east and north London are living in poverty and may not receive a toy during the festive season. Lets make this years appeal the biggest ever to help more children and families to experience a fun and memorable festive season.