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Nov 2024
Harrogate mums to give away ‘thousands’ of free toys for families in need this weekend
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A group of Harrogate mums have banded together to host a charity event this weekend for families “who might need a little extra help” this year.
The event was created after Melissa Bouchard, a cardiologist at the Duchy Hospital, saw a post on social media from a charity shop volunteer requesting donations of toys ahead of Christmas.
She decided to ask for donations so that she could give toys away for free to families in need.
She and a group of Harrogate mums have been collecting donations from schools and individuals for the last week.
They now have two rooms filled with thousands of toys and want to encourage those in need to collect toys.
She said:
I thought we would collect a couple of bags full, but people have donated so much and have been so generous, it is lovely to see, and I just hope those who need toys come and collect them.
The event, called Harrogate Gives for Christmas, will take place on December 1 from 2-4pm at the Jennyfield Styan Community Centre.
Bags of donated toys at the community centre
The group have contacted social workers, food banks and refuge charities to let people know they can come and collect items for free. They plan for any leftovers to be donated to the hospital.
One of the organisers, Dawn Wilbur, said:
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of our local community. Thanks to their kindness, we’ve received a treasure trove of good-quality toys—everything from games to cuddly bears—that are looking for a new home.
The event is simple: we want to invite families in need to come and collect these toys completely free of charge so their children can experience the magic of Christmas without added financial stress.
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