Santa’s little helpers arrive in Marylebone for kids’ Toy Appeal

Businesses across Marylebone have been acting as Santa’s little helpers for the area’s ill and deprived children by donating Christmas toys to local kids in need.

An area-wide Toy Appeal orchestrated by BakerStreetQ’s Smarter Giving project has resulted in over 432 toys being collected for 5 local children’s charities and groups.

The cross-company appeal has led to employees from 46 businesses adopting a nearby children’s cause and donating an extra special gift for a child. The Premier League, Publicis, Sandaire, Radisson Blu – The Portman Hotel and The University of Westminster are amongst many big helpers who throughout December have been holding workplace collection points for staff to donate a toy for kids between ages 1 – 14 years.

For some, the giving didn’t just stop at dropping off a toy to a workplace collection point, with many volunteering to wrap presents and attend the Christmas party to help out with the fun and games.

Publicis, based on Baker Street, collected gifts for the critically ill children in the COSMIC Ward at nearby St Mary’s Hospital. Camilla Byles, Culture Manager said “Publicis UK is delighted to be able to help the children in the COSMIC Ward. They and their families deserve every bit of happiness this Christmas.”

COSMIC’s Fundraising Manager Vicky Rees stated “We have been overwhelmed by the support from BakerStreetQ and its members. They collected hundreds of Christmas presents and generously volunteered their time to make the St Mary’s Hospital Children’s Christmas Party extra special. Their generosity and Christmas spirit truly helped put smiles on the faces of the poorly children who have been through very tough times.”

Staff at Lane Clark & Peacock on Wigmore Street collected 80 toys for the Portman Early Childhood Centre, based on Salisbury Street, in the Church Street ward of Westminster. Consultant Clare Craig said “Everyone really liked putting thought into a physical present rather than just donating money and it’s given us a better connection with the Centre, which is one of the charities we fundraised for during the year.”

BakerStreetQ hosts campaigns throughout the year for its members to support the nearby charities and with so many children’s charities and community groups in need of an extra sprinkle of Christmas cheer its no surprise that the response for this appeal was so overwhelming. Newpin Family Centre,Portman Early Childhood Centre, IMPs, Fisherton Pre School and the COSMIC Ward at St Mary’s Hospital each needed toys for their local children, some of whom may not have received any others. BakerStreetQ’s Member Events Manager, Dina Patel welcomed the generosity “Being able to give our business members a way to support local charities at Christmas has been rewarding for everyone involved and we will be doing it again in 2016”.