Toys and Teens appeal 2024 launches TODAY

Reading Family Aid’s Toys & Teens appeal is back for another year, sponsored by The Reading Chronicle. This year the appeal is accepting new and nearly new toys at 26 donation points across Reading and the surrounding areas. These toys and gifts will be distributed to disadvantaged children in Reading and the surrounding area, ready to be opened on Christmas day. 

A mother who benefited from the appeal last year shared her experience: “I am a single mum with 3 children aged 9, 12, and 16. I am also responsible for my father, who has early onset dementia and is currently ill in the hospital. I work two jobs, one during the day and another in the evening. I feel exhausted all the time and feel like I can’t give my children the time they deserve.

"On top of that, no matter how hard I work, I never have enough money. I am constantly in debt with bills I can't pay. I am never able to buy the extra treats at the supermarket and I am telling my children 'no' all the time.

"Christmas is a hard time for me. I dread it. I feel like I can't give my children what I want to give them and what they deserve. Most people look forward to Christmas, but for me, it’s a reminder of what my children miss out on.”

Reading Mayor Councillor Glenn Dennis officially launched this year’s appeal today.  He said, “I am so pleased to be launching the incredibly important Toys and Teens Appeal this year. The appeal supports children from really poor backgrounds whose families don’t have the means to provide them with a present at Christmas. The appeal steps in and fills that gap.”

He added, “People aren’t going to advertise to you that they are really struggling. They have pride. But as a Councillor, I am in contact with families who are so poor, they won’t be able to afford any presents this Christmas. Please support the appeal by donating gifts at any of the donation points in Reading. Thank you.”

Last year, the appeal faced challenges in gathering enough donations for teenagers aged 13 and over. The charity urges supporters to consider this age group and think about giving new or nearly new gifts for teenagers, as they are often overlooked during the holiday season. Suggested gifts include board games, makeup kits, art sets, or gift cards. For more ideas, please visit our website; www.readingfamilyaid.org/uploads/1/6/7/9/16795556/rfa_gift_detailed_wishlist_2024_13-16_years.pdf

The Toys and Teens Appeal 2024 will be collecting donated new and nearly new toys from donation drop off points, as well as using funds from the Go Fund Me online to buy gifts for children to open on Christmas day. 

To support the campaign you can donate a gift to the drop off points below - more details on what can be donated at: www.readingfamilyaid.org/toys-and-gifts-we-would-love-and-those-we-cant-use.html

If you cannot donate a gift the campaign also has an online GoFundMe page to help buy new presents for age groups that receive less donations each year.

Full list of drop-off points for donations including opening times:

Central Reading

• Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU

Mon 0900 to 1700, Tues 0900 to 1700, Weds 1015 to 1700, Thurs 0900 to 1700, Fri 0900 to 1700

• Little Pioneers, Co-operative Childcare Nursery, The Hospitium, Valpy Street, Reading RG1 1AR

Mon to Fri 0730 to 1800

• Reading Central Library, 3rd Floor, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ (collection box by Library Helpdesk)

Mon 1000 to 1700, Tues 1000 to 1900, Weds Closed, Thurs 1000 to 1900, Fri 1000 to 1700, Sat 1000 to 1500

• Skipton Building Society, Queen Victoria Street, Reading RG1 1TG

Mon & Tues 0930 to 1630, Wed 1000 to 1630, Thurs & Fri 0930 to 1630, Sat 0930 to 1200

North Reading

• Caversham Homecrafts, 46 Church Road, Caversham RG4 8AU

Mon to Sat 0900 to 1700

• Caversham Library, Church Road, Caversham RG4 8AU

Mon Closed, Tues 0900 – 1700, Weds Closed, Thurs 1300 to 1900, Fri 0900 to 1700, Sat 1000 to 1500

• Caversham Tiles, Donkin Hill, Caversham RG4 5DG

Mon to Fri 0730 to 1700, Sat 0900 to 1600

• Fourbears Books, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham RG4 8JG

Tues to Sat 0930 to 1630, Sun 1100 to 1430

• Mapledurham Golf Club, Chazey Heath, Mapledurham RG4 7UD

Sun to Fri 0630 to 2200, Sat 0630 to 1800

• New Bridge Nursey School, Montague Street, Caversham RG4 5AU

Mon to Thurs 0900 to 1545, Fri 0900 to 1200 (term time only)

• St. Barnabas Church, Parish Centre and Church Hall, St. Barnabas Road, Emmer Green, Reading RG4 8RA

Mon 1400 to 1500, Tues 0830 to 1100, Weds 1000 to 1200, Fri 1400 to 1500, Sun 0900 to 1200

The Parish Centre is open when “welcome” flags are outside, please drop items in Parish Centre porch

• Weller Centre, 110 Amersham Road, Caversham RG4 5NA

Mon to Fri 0900 to 1700

South Reading

• Big Yellow Storage, 27 Rose Kiln Lane, Reading RG2 0JZ

Mon - Fri 0830 to 1730, Sat 0900 to 1730, Sun 1000 to 1600

• Leighton Park School, Shinfield Road, Reading RG2 7ED

Mon to Fri 0800 to 1700 (term time only)

• New Homes Flooring, Unit 2, Heron Industrial Estate, Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood RG7 1PJ

Mon to Fri 0830 to 1730

• Optimal Align Chiropractic, 5 Lime Square, 250 South Oak Way, Reading RG2 6UG

Mon to Fri 0730 to 1900, Sat 0800 to 1230

East Reading

• Earley Crescent Resource Centre, Warbler Drive, Earley RG6 4HB

Mon - Fri 0830 to 1700, closed weekends

• Lower Earley Library, Chalfont Close, Chalfont Way, Lower Earley RG6 5HZ

Mon 0930 to 1700, Tues 0930 to 1900, Weds Closed, Thurs 0930 to 1900, Fri 0930 to 1700, Sat 0930 to 1600

• Oakwood Centre, Headley Road, Woodley RG5 4JZ

Mon to Fri 0830 to 1700, Sat 0900 to 1700, Sun 0900 to 1600

• Woodley Library, Headley Road, Woodley RG5 4JA

Mon 0900 to 1300, Tues 0900 to 1700, Weds 0900 to 1700, Thurs 0900 to 1900, Fri 0900 to 1700, Sat 0930 to 1600

West Reading

• Battle Library, 420 Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1EE

Mon Closed, Tues 1300 to 1900, Weds Closed, Thurs 0900 to 1700, Fri 0900 to 1200, Sat 1000 to 1500

• Co-op Food, School Road, Tilehurst RG31 5AR

Mon to Sat 0700 to 2200, Sun 1000 to 1600

• Southcote Library, Southcote Community Hub, Coronation Square, Southcote RG30 3QP

Mon Closed, Tues 0900 to 1200 & 1300 to 1900, Weds Closed, Thurs 0900 to 1200 & 1300 to 1600, Fri 0900 to 1200, Sat 1000 to 1300

• Tilehurst Library, School Road, Tilehurst RG31 6AS

Mon 0900 to 1700, Tues 0900 to 1200, Weds Closed, Thurs 1300 to 1900, Fri Closed, Sat 1000 to 1500

Henley

• Christ Church Centre, 46 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AG

Mon to Fri 0900 to 1700

Newbury

• Lifestyle Fitness at Trinity School, Church Road, Newbury RG14 2DU

Mon to Fri 1630 to 2100, Sat and Sun 0800 to 1300