Hackney council launches Christmas toy appeal Pic: Eric Ray
Hackney Council is hoping to stage their very own ‘Toy Story’ this New Year by partnering with the Forest Recycling Project to encourage families from across the borough to donate their unwanted toys after Christmas.
The Hackney Toy gift appeal will visit seven libraries across the borough from January 3 to 23.
The appeal aims to encourage families to donate toys that children no longer play with, or have outgrown, after they are gifted with new toys this Christmas. Last year the scheme collected over 1,500 toys worth more than £5,500.
Toys were donated to Homerton Hope for children receiving medical treatment, as well as the Rehabilitation Company in north London for children of parents on probation. The scheme also donated toys widely across Children Centres throughout Hackney.
This year the council hopes to receive even more toys, which they urge should be in good condition.
Councillor Jon Burke said: “Christmas is a hugely special time for children, but sadly also a time when concern for the environment is at the back of many people’s minds. This can lead to toys being needlessly thrown away while other children go without. It is estimated that 13 million toys in perfectly good condition, and 8.5 million new toys, end up as waste each year.
Christmas is a time of giving, but those things we give don’t have to be new. Santa has been asked only to give pre-loved toys to my children this year, and we’ll be donating our unused ones to the Hackney Toy Gift Appeal 2019. Keeping toys in circulation is good for kids and our planet, which is struggling to cope with our approach to waste and this will be great bonus for families after the festive season.”
Residents can donate toys at the following locations:
Stoke Newington Library, 182 Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, N16 0JL
Dalston CLR, James Library Dalston Lane, E8 3BQ
Stamford Hill, Library Portland Avenue, N16 6SB
Central Library, 1 Reading Lane, E8 1GQ
Clapton Library, Northwold Road, E5 8RA
Shoreditch Library, 80 Hoxton Street, N1 6LP
Homerton Library, Homerton High Street, E9 6AS
