Susan Roskell Memorial Toy & Gift Drive 2024
Being a child in disadvantaged circumstances can have detrimental effects on their mental health and wellbeing which hinders them from making the most out of life.
Sometimes a simple gesture of kindness through gifts and toys can be enough to help them cope through their challenges while providing ease to their families and carers knowing that these children can still enjoy beautiful moments in life.
In 2016, a request from the local Reading Cinema to support struggling families during the festive season saw the Sheldon family, Todd, Penny and Lachlan; donating wrapped gifts to a wishing Tree and from this the idea of an annual Toy Drive was born.
With each year since the first toy drive in 2016, the donations have steadily increased with thousands of Toys and Gifts being donated.
The donated toys and gifts are provided to local charities and organisations, including the Farmers Run in 2019 and most recently, Got Your Back Sista in 2020.
Our main focus has always been families affected by Domestic Violence and this will always be very important.
This year, 2024, we will be broadening our support to include families affected by Mental Health and to provide support to families that have stepped up to take care of children in the event that mum and or dad are unable. We will also be looking at widening our areas of support.
It is heartening to see that with every year, the support from the community and small businesses has grown which enables us to support the ever-increasing number of families that are seeking support and assistance.
We also have families who take it upon themselves to organise their own drives to support the Annual Toy and Gift Drive.
Once again, so many local businesses, community and sporting clubs have volunteered to be drop off points for people wishing to donate new, unwrapped toys and gifts.