New figures reveal that East London has the highest rates of child poverty in the UK. According to the latest research carried out by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, 50% of children in Newham lived in poverty in 2019/2020, after housing costs. That makes Newham the East London borough with the second highest child poverty rates, right after Tower Hamlets with 55,8%.
As a result of rising fuel and food costs, as well as increased unemployment due to the pandemic, many families in East London are struggling to afford Christmas presents and food this festive season. Rising East has compiled this list of local Appeals to which you can donate this Christmas.
Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal
This Toy Appeal was founded 44 years ago by Kevin Jenkins. They want to provide 3000 children in Newham with a Christmas Stocking tailored to their age, needs and abilities. The appeal says they are “already receiving more requests for help this year than in any of the appeals previous 43 years” as a result of the pandemic.
Donations can be dropped off at the Terence Brown Arc in the Park or ordered via their Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1PSGXVJ0PIR4f
The ELBA Toy Appeal
The East London Business Alliance, ELBA, organises a Toy Appeal every festive season. They deliver over £100,000 worth of gifts “to children and young people in east London, Islington and beyond”.
They offer different ways to donate. You can either buy gifts from their Amazon and John Lewis (https://www.johnlewis.com/content/about-wish-list) wish lists, drop off gifts to their grotto or donate money through this website: http://justgiving.com/campaign/elbatoyappeal2021.
ELBA donates to women’s refuges, Adventure Playgrounds, children’s hospitals, schools, community centres and food banks.
Winter Toy Appeal
The Winter Toy Appeal has been collecting toys for children in London who are experiencing extreme poverty for the past eight years. They take help from social workers, schools, children’s centres, refuges, hostels, migrant centres and food banks for children in most need.
This year, they have launched a Go Fund Me (https://www.gofundme.com/f/winter-toy-appeal-2021?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp_guide_do&member=14512531) to raise funds for toys from independent London stores. Donations can be dropped off at E5 Baby Bank in Clapton or purchased online via their Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1QI0XNR2U1GV6/.