Accountancy firm opens collection point for Swindon Christmas Toy Appeal 2021

The team at Haines Watts Swindon have volunteered their office reception area in Old Town as a Covid safe collection point for the 2021 Swindon Christmas Toy Appeal from this week (November 1).

In its 5th year, the appeal aims to provide new toys for children of families in need in the town where parents or guardians would struggle to buy presents without resorting to loans. 

Last year alone, more than 700 children in 265 families, received presents who may not have got a gift at all – or their parents may have got into debt to afford Christmas. Last year’s appeal was the most successful ever and more volunteers stepped up to help with wrapping and delivering almost 6,000 presents which were donated. More presents were purchased with £10,000 which was donated as cash. This year, with the continued impact of Covid-19, the need is expected to be greater than ever.Dawn Prosser, one of the appeal’s organisers, said: “The appeal is run by churches across Swindon and its aim is to bring a hope and happiness to families who would really struggle to find the money for presents.”

“Families are nominated by agencies serving Swindon, participating churches and by schools. We are hoping that this year we will be able to actually hold a Christmas party for children and their families, subject to Covid19 restrictions.”
 

The team at Haines Watts Swindon have collected toys and donations for the appeal for the last few years and are able to do this in a Covid-secure way. 

Anna-Marie Healy, regional marketing manager for Haines Watts South West said: “We were absolutely blown away last year with the response and generosity of our local community. We alone received three carloads of donations and seeing the overall amount at HQ was quite emotional.

“Everyone I spoke to last year simply wanted to make a difference after such a turbulent time through the pandemic and it’s great to see donations have already started coming in this year. Every child deserves to smile at Christmas and so do those that are bringing them up.”    

“We are only too pleased to support the Swindon Christmas Toy Appeal again this year and provide a safe space for donations to be dropped off from Monday November 1. Our office reception is Covid safe and we would ask anyone wanting to donate new toys to call us on 01793 533838 to arrange a time for dropping off.

“Our office is at Old Station House, Newport Street, Swindon, SN1 3DU. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.”

New toys and gifts for children aged 0 to 16 are suitable. The collection point at Haines Watts Swindon will be open for donations until close of business on Friday December 3, allowing time for delivery to be made to the appeal’s HQ. 

Nationally, Haines Watts is a top 15 firm of chartered accountants who specialise in advising and supporting business owners, individuals and not-for-profit organisations locally and throughout the UK. The firm has been at the centre of the Swindon and Wiltshire business communities for the last 25 years. For more information visit https://www.hwca.com/accountants-swindon/