Afghan Toy Appeal

Residents in Whitstable have raised over £2000 in ten days to help fund toys for Afghan Refugees in a scheme organised by Cllr Chris Cornell. The Afghan Toy Appeal which was launched through local shop Toys n Trends saw people donate to a community pot which was then spent on buying toys for 52 children currently housed in Canterbury after the fall of Kabul.

Response to the scheme was so huge that a donation of almost £800 was also made to Priory Primary School in Canterbury to help with the cost of uniforms, school trips and PE kit for the affected children who range from 9 months to 17 years old.

Cllr Chris Cornell said, “this initiative has been truly humbling – we have had children donate their pocket money, churches give from their collection plates and one young mother who donated her bus money – choosing to walk up Borstal Hill. Members of Whitstable Wood Craft Folk did a toy sale on our behalf, a student at Joy Lane School asked her friends to donate to the scheme rather than receive birthday presents. The Over 60’s centre in Waterloo Road donated hundreds of toiletries. We have been blessed”.

“The initiative just shows what the community can do when it comes together” said Cllr Connie Nolan, who has been helping co-ordinate voluntary organisations in Canterbury as part of the City Council’s response. “The public outpouring of support gives you real hope for the Afghan Refugees and their future”.