Community generosity shines in toy appeal, say Lions club

Club President and Toy Appeal Manager Debra Coburn shared her gratitude: “We’ve run this appeal since 2015, and every year we are touched by the kindness of Rugeley residents. People genuinely want to make a difference.”

Every new toy donated helps ensure that a child who might otherwise receive nothing at Christmas experiences the joy they deserve. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed — your generosity has been truly remarkable.

Toy Appeal publicity day

This year, the Toy Appeal was promoted at Santa’s Grotto at the Brewery Street Shopping Centre, where Lions members dressed in festive elf outfits alongside our mascot lion. For the last two weeks of November, Lions Debra, Elaine, John and Mandy wore our new velvet elf costumes, while Peter brought the lion character to life.

We are grateful to Deer Rugeley and John Parkes for capturing wonderful publicity photographs during the event.

Toy distribution

Most of the donated toys were distributed during an open day at the Rugeley Rose Theatre, thanks to Rugeley Town Council for their support in making the event possible. Lions Debra and Elaine welcomed representatives from local organisations, helping them select toys for the families they support.

Toys and gifts were distributed to a wide range of groups, including:

• Staffordshire Women’s Aid

• Pathways

• Week of Wonder (Victory Church)

• Vysions

• Church of the Good Shepherd

• YMCA

• NICE (charity for movement disorders)

• Rugeley Foodbank

• Childhood Cancer Parent Alliance

Toy drop-off points

We extend our sincere thanks to all the businesses and venues that hosted Toy Boxes, making it easy for the public to donate. Toy Boxes were located at:

Tesco, Tesco Extra (Springfields), Morrisons, Gymophobics, Staffordshire Coffee Lounge, Wolseley Garden Centre, Keeran’s Kards & Gifts, Gill Collier Hair Salon, Rachel Lamey Hair & Beauty, St Augustine’s Church, Church of the Holy Spirit, HX Hair and Sparrows Tearoom.

Your willingness to host a Toy Box played a vital role in the success of this appeal.

Special thanks

We are especially grateful to the following groups for their large toy donations:

• MGF (Brereton)

• Yoxall & Needwood Ladies Luncheon Group

• Lin Ford Care

• MF Martial Arts & Dance

Your generosity and effort in collecting so many toys made a significant impact.

We also thank St Joseph & Ethelreda Church for their generous cash donation, collected at Mass, which supported both the Toy Appeal and Christmas hampers.