Tring Radio, Red Kite Radio, Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio and Aylesbury Town Council teamed up to give 4,202 gifts to those in need this Christmas.
The council worked in partnership with the community radio stations to collect as many brand-new donated toys as possible for local charities and organisation to provide a gift to children in need this Christmas.
Donation stations were dotted all around the Herts and Bucks, from Tring to Thame and from Amersham to Aylesbury.
The Community Radio Christmas Toy Box Appeal toy total reached 4,202 toys.
From art and craft kits, puzzles, games and sensory toys – charities and organisations were given three times the amount they had hoped for due to local communities coming together after a challenging year.
All toys were picked up from the 31 donation stations, prior to the latest tier restrictions, in a special Community Radio Christmas Toy Box Appeal van courtesy of Perrys, before they were sorted by voluntary elves and then quarantined for a COVID-safe period for in time for collection.
Rachel and Tim, founders of Tring Radio, wanted to support the local community, so when they were asked to carry on the Christmas toy appeal, they said yes straight away.
Red Kite Radio was asked by Aylesbury Town Council to help organise the collection stations around our area. These included Haddenham Garden Centre, Bradmoor Farm, Tickety Brew & Rumsey's Chocolate shop in Thame.
Station Manager Steve Fox said: "I am delighted that the people of Thame and Haddenham have rallied around yet again to make this worthwhile cause such a success again this year."
The charities and local organisations who will benefit from the donations are Florence Nightingale Children's Team Florrie's, CHAT Children's Respite, Young Carers Bucks, The Pepper Foundation, Go Holiday Club Southcourt, Paediatrics Bucks NHS Trust – Stoke Mandeville, MPS Society and Roman Park Community Trust.
Due to the overwhelming response to the appeal Griffin Place Aylesbury, Life Link, Bucks Activity Project – Action For Children and Vineyard Church Storehouse Aylesbury will also benefit from toy donations.
Aylesbury Town Mayor, Cllr Mike Smith, said: "We are completely blown away by the response we had to the Community Radio Christmas Toy Box Appeal and are very glad to be spreading festive cheer across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
"It has been a challenging year for many groups and organisations so we are sure these toys that have been generously donated will make a huge difference to the children and their families this year."
"Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered and helped us spread the word."
"A special thank you also to Tring Radio, Red Kite Radio and Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio for their support."
Holly Patel
Bucks Herald
