North Wales Superkids' plea ahead of Toy Box Appeal

The charity helps bring happiness to disadvantaged children and young people across North Wales via a series of projects, the main one being their annual Toy Box Appeal.

Heading to the site to talk about Christmas between heatwaves and hosepipe bans, seems odd but the work never stops for the dedicated team.

And as the cost of living crisis becomes a reality for more households every day, I wonder if its impact will be felt at the charity.

Founder and trustee Margaret Williams MBE, shares my concerns.

She said: "I've always looked forward it, to the challenge but this year it's worrying me.

"I know, and all the agencies that send us referrals know, there's going to be more and more families in dire straits."

It's a tragic pattern that's been repeated the last few years. In 2019 they sent out 1,721 bags, in 2020 it rose to 2,250 as the pandemic took its toll, and last year saw them fill 2,577 sacks.

With about 10 items per bag, it's easy to see how the team and its volunteers need to keep momentum all year round.

The organised shelving at North Wales Superkids' headquarters.

The shelves are currently full of toys, games, crafts, books, sweets and teddies to appeal to a range of ages. There are also toiletries and small home items, such as picture frames and candles, for older siblings or vulnerable and socially isolated care leavers and homeless aged 18-25.

But as Margaret says, that can all be cleared in a matter of days. And it's constant from when the referrals start to come in from the end of September, with some arriving right up to Christmas Eve.

While the former social services worker expects to see a rise in those needing their support, she's also aware that the cost of living crisis will make donations harder to get too.

She said: "The economy is seeing those who usually help, struggling too. People have less money in their pockets to buy a present to donate to us."

Some of the toiletries and home items collected for older siblings, and care leavers or homeless ages 18-25.

But every gift is important. The help from Superkids can be the difference between a child having nothing on Christmas morning, with the sense of abandonment and worthlessness that can come with it, to feeling like they do matter, as they open something just for them.

And that is at the heart of what Superkids do because whatever the circumstances of the family, it's not the children's fault.

Each referral comes with details about every child's likes and dislikes, their favourite TV show, singer or interest, and the team use this to help make each set of gifts relevant to its recipient. "We take pride in the bags," adds Margaret. "We'll include a jigsaw for helping coordination, books for literacy. Thought goes into it"

This will be Superkids' 24th Christmas, and they are proud of the fact they have never missed a bag but the uncertainty that this could be the year is always there.

North Wales Superkids are in need of 3,000 large, lightweight sacks like those pictured here.

The actual bags themselves are also a cause for concern this year. The team's usual supplier of about 3,000 plastic sacks can no longer provide them, and they are keen to hear from any individual or company that thinks they can help.

Margaret remains positive, despite last year being one of the toughest to date.

She said: "My social services days go back to 1966, and you learnt to distance yourself because you had to. But last Christmas broke me, really, really broke me. Some of the circumstances families were facing were rock bottom."

And that is what keeps Margaret and her team going, knowing they can help make a real difference that in reality, goes far beyond one day.

• The Leader is again taking collections for North Wales Superkids' toy appeal.

Donations must be new and unwrapped. Examples include toys, games, crafts, dolls etc or for older youngsters, smellies, picture frames, scented candles, cookbooks.

Items can be left at our head office in Mold at Media Point, Mold Business Park, Wrexham Road, Mold CH7 1XY, on Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays.