Local children get sporty for Winter Toy Appeal

Children in Hackney are being urged to take part in a sponsored event to raise funds for the Winter Toy Appeal.

The event, which has been organised by eight-year-old Ben Boyt from Stoke Newington, takes place at 2pm on Sunday November 15 and children are invited to do whatever activity they like while wearing a Christmas jumper – from running to scooting, bouncing on a trampoline, cycling or skipping.

Money raised will buy toys for children experiencing extreme poverty this Christmas. Among the dozens of children taking part in the fundraiser are children from Rosemary Works School and Yoakley Road. And the event is open to everyone.

Ben’s mum Kathryn said: “We’ve supported the Winter Toy Appeal since it first started and this year, with Covid-19 making things harder for so many people, Ben wanted to do more to help. While the children can’t do their events together – I hope that by doing it at the same time on the same day and dressed in a Christmas jumper, they’ll feel part of a collective effort.

“There’ll be a sponsored hoverboarder, cricket bat and ball keepyuppy, a reading challenge, scooting around the block and more!”

Jenna Fansa of The Local Buyers Club, the company behind the Winter Toy Appeal, said: “Ben’s idea is brilliant and we’re so thankful that he’s helping with this year’s appeal. We’re desperate for donations of new toys for children in need. This year things the pandemic is making things harder than ever. But we are determined to make sure no child goes without. We have an online wish list to buy from and a Go Fund Me, which we’re using to buy from independent toy shops throughout lockdown.”

Toys donated to the appeal are distributed via a network of refuges, hostels, children’s centres, schools and food banks to children in most need in North and East London.

To join in Ben’s sponsored event and request a sponsorship form, email team@localbuyersclub.com. To sponsor Ben and his friends, visit: http://bit.ly/ToyAppealEvent

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