Bidding to make a splash for vital Christmas appeal

I AM again raising funds for a special appeal that has been part of my life in for 48 years…a campaign that is right at the heart of life in Newham, East London.

I first helped launch the Newham Christmas Toy Appeal, with founder Kevin Jenkins all those years ago. The appeal has helped tens of thousands of children over those years and is still as relevant today as it was back then.

In the last 46 years I have raised just over £19,100 for the appeal. I really would like to make it £20,000 with your help, hence the £900 target. But that’s just a personal target. The most important thing is the appeal and the young people it benefits.

I know we are still in the midst of cost of living crisis, bills and going up and money is tight for everyone reading this . But if you can support us it would be wonderful.

Three years ago Kevin passed away and the trustees of charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve, of which I am one, decided to rename the appeal in his memory. It is now known as The Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal.

I will be featuring the full launch on my website shortly. Over the coming two and a half months, Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA) and the local paper, Newham Recorder are joining forces for the campaign to bring joy to thousands of vulnerable children, families and adults. Many of our children are still living in poverty. But this appeal looks to strengthen communities and raise aspirations at this time, making Christmas special and futures brighter.

I am proud to be a patron of the toy appeal campaign, having been part of the appeal for the Recorder in many roles from reporter to Editor during my 41years at the Recorder. I have remained part of it as a patron since I left almost 12 years ago.

• Action from last year’s sponsored swim…

Next month will also be the 47th time I have dived in to swim 50 lengths breast stroke to help raise money for the appeal, quite an ask given my COPD, which unfortunately has got worse in the last year. I had a hernia op 15 months ago and unfortunately hasn’t worked as it has resurfaced again and I am awaiting another hernia op. But I am determined to do it again, and started training a few weeks ago.

AAA and the Recorder will be featuring how to donate new toys or money and take part in our campaign generally to get new toys and gifts. We need to collect 15,000 new toys – a huge challenge. The appeal officially launches on AAA’s website www.theaaazone.com, Our Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages and in the Recorder shortly. There will also be details on my website at www.colin-grainger.co.uk and on my Facebook, X and Instagram accounts.

Ambition, Aspire, Achieve will be providing toys and much more for children and their families as part of the appeal. If you would like to give to my small effort or the wider appeal that would be great. Thank you.

Details on how you can support the campaign in general will be in the Recorder print edition each week and on their website www.newhamrecorder.co.uk and also on the social media links already mentioned. with direct links to giving and to an Amazon wish list.

Thanks again for your support.