The Christmas Toys Appeal - a joint venture between The Salvation Army and Isle of Man Bank to help bring festive cheer to the needy- is about to start.
The appeal is one of the first signs of the Christmas countdown and, this year, Salvation Army captains Simon and Carolyn Clampton say there is more need than ever for the scheme.
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 Salvation Army Citadel in Douglas. The toys will 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 a difficult period full of stress and frustration. It highlighted the division in society between those who had enough to live on and those for whom the cost of daily life was a continual struggle.
She added: ‘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.
‘Compared with last year, so far in 2014 we have continued to see further increases in requests for help for many of the basics in life.
‘This support includes helping those struggling to meet heating costs, as well as providing help towards purchasing school uniforms, essential furniture and household goods through referrals from the Island’s health and social care agencies. We are also the main distribution point for the Isle of Man Foodbank.’
The names of families in need of help are referred to The Salvation Army via health and social care agencies. Last year about 450 toys were distributed at Christmas together with 1,300 gifts of food parcels and vouchers, the latter being supported by Shoprite.
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 tenth year that the Bank has supported this initiative.
‘Every little helps, particularly in difficult times, and we are confident that the community will rally around once more to support the Christmas Toy Appeal. We look forward to receiving the presents across Isle of Man Bank collection points in the lead up to the festive period.’
Photo - back row, left to right, Jane Howland, Captains Simon and Carolyn Clampton, Deniese Smith, Lydia Burgess; Front: Sarah Cain and Heather Merry.
