The annual Christmas Toys Appeal - a joint venture between The Salvation Army and Isle of Man Bank - is about to swing into action. However, Salvation Army captains Simon and Carolyn Clampton say there is greater pressure on the overall project than ever before.
Members of the public are being asked to consider buying one extra present and take it, unwrapped, to any branch of Isle of Man Bank before the end of November where it will be collected by volunteers and taken to the Citadel. The toys will then be distributed to children whose parents are unable to afford presents and who would otherwise not have anything to open on Christmas morning.
Captain Carolyn Clampton said Christmas was a time of celebration but it could also be one of stress and frustration as it was a season which highlighted the division between those in society who had enough to live on and those for whom life was a continual struggle. She said: 'While Christmas is the time of year we experience the greatest demand for help and assistance it must not be overlooked that the Salvation Army provides help to the most vulnerable and needy people on the Island throughout the year.
'So far in 2013 we have experienced a greater demand than ever before for many of the basics in life with nearly a two-fold increase on this time last year. This support includes helping those struggling to meet heating costs, as well as providing help towards purchasing school uniforms, essential furniture and household goods - in addition to food.'
The names of families in need of help are referred to The Salvation Army via health and social care agencies. Last year around 500 toys were distributed at Christmas together with 1,900 gifts of food parcels and vouchers, the latter coming courtesy of Shoprite. Each year the number of parcels and vouchers required rises by around 300 as the economic downturn continues to affect local families.
Said Captain Clampton: 'Essential bills such as fuel, clothing and food still need paying and parents can feel torn between paying these bills and buying presents for their children. Thanks to the generosity of the public, and working in partnership with Isle of Man Bank, The Salvation Army here on the Island will try to relieve some of the tensions and remind people of the real meaning of Christmas.'
Deniese Smith, Senior Bank Manager at Isle of Man Bank, added: 'This is the ninth year that the Bank has supported this initiative and we are confident the community will rally round, as they have done previously, to support the Christmas Toy Appeal. We look forward to receiving the presents across Isle of Man Bank collecction points in the lead up to the festive period.'
Photo - Salvation Army officers and staff from Isle of Man Bank pictured with some of the gifts already received from members of the public. Back row, left to right: John Halligan, Captains Simon and Carolyn Clampton, and Derek Cain; front: Natalie Grib, Angie Pennington, Charlotte Hodson and Kate Skillicorn.
