London’s lost toys become Christmas presents for disadvantaged Lewisham children

Unclaimed toys in Transport for London’s Lost Property Office. Pic: Transport for London

Hundreds of toys and games lost on London’s transport system will be donated to disadvantaged children in Lewisham and other south London boroughs this Christmas.

This will be the eleventh year running that Transport for London’s Lost Property Office has donated gifts for children as part of The Salvation Army‘s Christmas Present Appeal.

TfL says 333,000 items have been found this year on London’s transport, with thousands of items left unclaimed in lost property.

Manager of TfL’s Lost Property Office, Paul Cowan said: “Many of these are new and unused, making them perfect to donate to children and their families during the festive season.”

Data from London-based organisation The Childhood Trust  showed that thousands of children said they do not enjoy Christmas, with 82 per cent of them citing poverty as a key reason.

Lewisham is in the top 20 local authorities in the country with highest levels of child poverty, according to the Lewisham Poverty Commission’s report published in October.

Pic: Transport for London

The Chair of Lewisham Poverty Commission and councillor, Joe Dromey told EastLondonLines: “Despite being in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, Lewisham still faces high levels of child poverty. The Tory welfare freeze which is hitting families across Lewisham will make this even worse.

“No child should have to grow up in poverty. That’s why Lewisham Council is doing what it can to tackle poverty, to build affordable homes, and to promote fair pay.

“It’s great to see TfL doing what they can to help local families at Christmas time.”

Pic: Transport for London

The donation includes children’s toys and games that have been lost on the network and have remained unclaimed for over three months.

Lewisham Council and other south London care services will work with The Salvation Army to distribute the presents to the young people that need them the most.

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