Businesses across Marylebone have been acting as Santa’s little helpers by donating Christmas toys to local kids in need.
An area-wide Toy Appeal orchestrated by The Baker Street Quarter Partnership’s (BakerStreetQ) Smarter Giving project has resulted in over 432 toys being collected for five 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 and The University of Westminster are amongst many big helpers who throughout this month have been holding workplace collection points for staff to donate a toy for kids between one and 14 years.
Members also volunteered 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 (Children of St Mary’s Intensive Care) Ward at St Mary’s Hospital.
COSMIC’s Fundraising Manager Vicky Rees said: “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 at Wigmore Street collected 80 toys for the Portman Early Childhood Centre in Salisbury Street, 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 events manager Dina Patel added: “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.”
