During November and December 2017, CVS ran our annual CVS Toy Appeal in aid of Cheshire East children and families that face difficult circumstances over the festive season. Families who may not be able to provide the joyful Christmas each child deserves because of the challenges they face with each needing the support of a local charity or support service.  

 

The response we had from the Cheshire East community was truly amazing, year on year we continue to be surprised by the readiness by many people and organisations to support this cause. We had many returning supporters from last year and gained new friends and supporters too. With their help and unwavering generosity along with members of the public donating at collection points across Cheshire East the CVS Toy Appeal 2017 was a huge success, together we were able to raise over 2500 toy and gift donations and support 29 local charities who work directly with the receiving children and families. All qualifying groups who requested toys from the appeal received a consignment. 

 

The charities and causes supported include:

 

Cheshire Without Abuse l Space4Autism l Central Cheshire Buddy Scheme l South Cheshire CLASP l Cheshire and Warrington Carers Trust l Home-Start Central and West Cheshire l Friends for Leisure l New Life Church l Catch22/FACT22 l Mid Cheshire Riding for the Disabled l Ruby's Fund l Cheshire East Council Prevention Services l Monks Coppenhall Childrens Centre l Carers Trust 4 All l Oakenclough Childrens Centre l Hurdsfield Children's Centre

 

13 Other CVS verified Cheshire East registered charities and local support services asked for their details not to be shared.

 

Some of the supported groups asked us to share their messages of thanks to all those who supported the and made Christmas joyous for countless local children.

 

Catch22/FACT22

'On behalf of our families in the Macclesfield/Wilmslow area, please can I thank you for the wonderful toys and gifts that were donated by your supporters. I have received some very positive comments from families and they would like me to express their thanks to you and your supporters. The gifts certainly made the numerous children very happy on Christmas Day. The dolls boutiques/shops were a massive hit as were the footballs and rugby balls. Thank you once again for all your support'

Mid Cheshire Riding for the Disabled

'We were all really overwhelmed by the amount of gifts that we received to distribute and the children were really thrilled. The gifts were all laid out and they could choose what they wanted. Many of our participants have multiple disabilities and life is not always easy or straightforward for them. Their families often have to overcome extra costs imposed by their disabilities so it was wonderful for them to be supported by the appeal. Some of the children wanted to write a little note themselves to say thank you. We are all extremely grateful to the CVS for coordinating this appeal and to all the wonderful sponsors and donors to the scheme, you gave just that little bit more joy and happiness to a child by your generosity.'

 

Central Cheshire Buddy Scheme

'Cheshire Buddies is a charity organisation that supports children and young people with disabilities The children at Cheshire Buddies had a magical time at their Christmas party which was held on the 22nd December As you can imagine they 

were so excited about the visit from Father Christmas ! They all eagerly sat waiting to hear the sleigh land at the Georges Centre in Crewe and they could hear Father Christmas One child said ' he is really here! to see us and look he has presents ! wow!! There were some children that were in awe of his presence and kept waving and wanting to sit a little bit closer - it was just magical when Father Christmas spoke to them all individually and gave them all a present they were all giddy with excitement The children faces said it all, one young man said that he would wait until Christmas day until he opened it and there were others that just couldn't wait to see what present they had received Cheshire Buddies would like to say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the local people that have generously donated presents to CVS to then provide a very special present for each child that came to the Cheshire Buddies Christmas party'

The success of 2017's CVS Toy Appeal is owed to our friends in the community who pledged their support, collected donations, rasied money acted as collection points for the local public and raised awareness.

Each year we come to learn about some of the amazing people who support the toy appeal. Last year we met Glyn and Kathleen Rowley, who on a personal quest literally filled their house collecting donations for the appeal. This year has been no exception but unfortunately we never had the pleasure of meeting 2017s Star of the Appeal, avid Stoke City fan, 7 year old Lewis Crossley.

Lewis sadly lost his battle with leukaemia shortly before Christmas and gifted his Christmas presents to the appeal. We at CVS were heartbroken to hear the story behind his donation and our thoughts go out to Lewis's family. His toys joined others in making Christmas a fun and joyful occasion for many children across Cheshire East.. Thank you Lewis. 

In is memory parents Adam and Susanne are currently setting up a trust, the Team Lewis Trust, you can pledge your support by following the Team Lewis Facebook Page. We hope you'll join us in welcoming the Team Lewis Trust into the VCFS community. 


This year the Toy Appeal was supported by a record 19 Cheshire East organisations including our own CVS Members MAC Multi Activity Centre and new appeal supporters Everybody Sport and Recreation and Crewe FC who donated in partnership with their sponsors Kindertons.

We were greaful to have long standing supporters Crewe Lyceum TheatreWeston Centre Business Hub and Crewe Alexandra Football Club support the appeal for another year and we are espcailly gretaful to the fans of Crewe

Alex for donating their loose change to our collection during a home game in November 2017.

 

Returning supporters Elior UK, Close Brothers, Blue Group, The County Group and Trac Precision Machining really out did themselves and genarated donations beyond what we were expecting.

 

Each year the appeal grows and this year that is thnaks to new supporters COS Recruitment, Lakeside Luxury Cattery, NHS Vale Royal CCGNHS South Cheshire CCG, AVA CAD/CAM Group Ltd, Congleton Library and Nantwich Civic Hall. All of which, along with our other appeal supporters got behind the appeal, spent a lot of time, money and effort in generating donations.

Working together we made a real difference to many, many families and children in our community and it can not be overstated the significant difference these donations have made to those facing the most challenging of times at would should the most joyous occasion...     

 

 

... from everyone at Community & Voluntary Services and again on behalf of those supported by the appeal.. 

We hope you all had fun supporting the appeal will support us again in 2018.
 

If you would like to know more about the CVS Christmas Toy Appeal or would pledge your upcoming support for the coming season, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the details at the foot of the page.

 

Weston Centre Business Hub

Everybody Sport and Recreation (@EBLeisure
Crewe Lyceum Theatre (@CreweLyceum)
MAC Multi Activity Centre (@MACMacclesfield)

Crewe Alexandra Football Club (@crewealexfc)
Elior UK (@elioruk)

 Close Brothers (@CloseBrothers)
Blue Group (Central) Ltd (@blue_machinery‏)
Crewe FC (@CreweFC)
Kindertons (@Kindertons)
 NHS Vale Royal CCG (@NHSValeRoyalCCG)
NHS South Cheshire CCG (@NHSSCheshireCCG)
The County Group (@countyins)

Congleton Library (@CECLibraries

Nantwich Civic Hall (@NantwichCivic)

COS Recruitment (@COSRecruitment)
Lakeside Luxury Cattery (@LakesideLuxuryCattery

Trac Precision Machining (@ChromalloyLLC

AVA CAD/CAM Group Ltd (@avacadcam)