ACR-News

The appeal asks local businesses to contribute toys, which then get distributed to charities focusing specifically on children and teenagers with disabilities, or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Despite the UK being the world’s fifth largest economy, over four million children live in poverty and over 1.6 million food parcels have been handed out in 2018-2019. For children with disabilities, the ever-growing funding gap – now estimated at over £434 million by the Disabled Children’s Partnership – often means that hospices, hospitals and charities rely on donations of toys and gifts as funding is distributed in other, more critical areas.

Initiatives like this can make the difference not only for children and teenagers at Christmas, but for families and carers who otherwise may have gone without to ensure that children are provided for. With an estimated 6,000 toys being donated across Sussex to the More Radio Christmas appeal, this year looks set to be the biggest giveaway yet.

Adrian Collins from Aspen Pumps said: “This is a fantastic cause and should hopefully really make a difference to some local families this year. Aspen Pumps donated £500 and so we purchased as many toys as we could, suitable for children of all ages.

“It’s a shame that these appeals are still needed in 2019, however the spirit of the local community has shone through judging from the incredible number of toys donated.”

Action of Children states that 11 percent of children under 10 in the UK are classed as living in materially deprived, low income families, and 15 percent of children charities now don’t receive any funding from CCGs. With increased costs, hospices for children and their families are feeling the pressure.

Ian Kirwan, More Radio, said: “We are a local caring station and seeing local businesses pulling together for the community as whole is fantastic to see.”

Initiatives like this supported by local company’s such as Aspen Pumps, show that a little community spirit can go a long way.