TWO CHILDREN from Petersfield have donated 110 toys to Home-Start Butser and a mountain of chocolates and biscuits to The Salvation Army after running their own Christmas appeal for local people in need.
The Big Christmas Give was the idea of Joe Tully, who has been collecting donations for both organisations for six years, and his friend Amelia Day.
Joe, aged ten, and Amelia, eight, wanted toys for boys and girls up to the age of four, which would be distributed at Home-Start Butser’s annual Christmas party.
They also asked for small toys and sweets for children to give to The Salvation Army, plus non-alcoholic treats for adults which would be put into festive hampers for elderly people and those living on their own.
Joe and Amelia used Petersfield Library, Jake’s Toys and Herne Junior School in Petersfield as drop-off points for donations. Jake’s Toys also accepted financial donations which the children used to choose toys on donors’ behalf.
They also invited Amelia’s friends and neighbours to drop in to her house in Stroud on November 17 for some home-baked cakes and the chance to name and win a teddy bear, in return for a donation. They raised £80, which was used to buy more presents, and were also given some more toys.
Tory Cover, of Home-Start Butser, and Linda Read, from The Salvation Army, met the children after the appeal closed to pick up the items they had collected.
Joe’s mother Julie Tully said: “Every donation is much appreciated and Joe and Amelia are so grateful for the support of the community to make this project a big success.
"Both children have taken great pleasure in doing this appeal. Amelia said it has been amazing, and Joe agreed and added that everyone has been so supportive and it is so rewarding to help others not so fortunate, especially at Christmas time.”