The generous people of Harrow are proving miracles can happen at Christmas by supporting the Harrow Observer’s annual toy appeal.
Our festive campaign, which has the backing of rock stars Scouting for Girls, and the Mayor of Harrow John Nickolay, is running for its fourth consecutive year to put a smile on the faces of poorly children in the borough.
This week Pravin Raghvani, owner of Graham’s Toys in Alexandra Avenue, donated stacks of gifts despite his shop being burnt down in a fire last year.
He said: "Graham’s Toys is very pleased to support the Toy Appeal. We have come through a traumatic period since a fire that destroyed our shop.
"We have had a lot of support from the local community during the period and we are supporting this appeal as a thank you.
"We are a community business and we are pleased to be supporting a community action for sick and disadvantaged children this Christmas."
The Observer is hoping to build on the extraordinary generosity our readers have shown in the past and is asking them to buy an extra gift this Christmas to give to a child at Northwick Park Hospital.
On December 11 presents will be delivered to the hospital in Watford Road, Harrow, by indie rock band Scouting for Girls who grew up in and around the borough and have topped the UK album charts this year.
The remaining gifts will find their way to deserving families via Harrow Council’s social services department.
Last year Harrow singer-songwriter Kate Nash cheered up youngsters at Northwick Park Hospital, where she was born, by presenting gifts which included signed copies of her CDs.
Other celebrities who have supported our campaign include TV presenter Fearne Cotton and actress Anna Popplewell, who starred in the 2004 movie The Chronicles of Narnia.
Ready to deliver:
You can take your gift to any library in Harrow where you can be sure they will be safely stored.
Donate money by sending a cheque made payable to NWLH General Charitable Funds Manager, Finance Department, The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, HA1 3UJ.
We want gifts for children from babies to 16-year-olds.
Your toys must be new and not gift-wrapped.
Ideas include dolls, Nintendo, board games, teddy bears, paint sets, crayons, tapes and CDs.
No second hand toys.
