The 2025 Kevin Jenkins OBE Newham Christmas Toy Appeal, run by charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve (AAA) and supported by the Recorder, brought festive joy to children across Newham through the generosity of businesses, schools, churches, and individual donors.
Each child referred through the appeal, in its 48th year, received a Christmas stocking filled with new, age-appropriate gifts.
Referrals were received from a wide network of children and family support agencies across Newham, including children’s services, schools, probation services, family support groups, health visitors, women’s refuges, GPs, and community organisations.
The toy warehouse was provided free of charge by Gallions Reach Shopping Park.
The appeal was supported by a long list of donors and partners, including corporate supporters, schools, churches, and community groups.
Corporate supporters included Sahara Homes, Gallions Reach Shopping Park, Bluewater Shopping Centre, Stratford Shopping Centre, Transport for London Lost Property, MACE, Investec, Zurich Insurance Group, and LEGO Group.
The Hill Group, Berkely Offshore Underwriting Managers, Bank of New York, Bowling and Co, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Axis Europe, Barclays, Thames Water, Tate & Lyle, and Bain Capital also contributed.
Further corporate donors included All Funds, Janus Henderson, Mae, L&Q, Fremantle, Turner & Townsend, Valero, McAllister Group, Reed Smith, Glyn Hopkin, Albert’s Schloss, Thought Machine, Burberry, Higgins Partnerships, AGS Shutters, Asda Beckton, Holiday Inn Express Stratford, Lunaria Partners, Overbury, Stantec, and Toren Consulting.
Toy and book companies that donated or provided discounts included Scholastic Books, Newham Bookshop, Keel Toys, ABGee Toys, and Little Brothers Books.
A number of schools supported the appeal with financial and toy donations, including Forest School Snaresbrook, Wanstead High School, Lister School, Royal Docks Academy, School 21, Stratford School Academy, Hallsville Primary School, Rosetta Primary School, Maryland Primary School, Kier Hardie Primary School, Brampton Primary School, North Beckton Primary School, and Sandringham Primary School.
Other supporting schools included Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, Winsor, Colegrave, New City, Calverton, Dersingham, and Scott Wilkie primary schools, as well as Altmore Infant School, Park Primary School, Kensington Primary School, Sheringham Nursery School, Cumberland Community School, Sir John Heron Primary School, and Curwen Primary School.
Churches that contributed included All Saints Church, Writtle St Nicholas Church, Kelvedon Hatch, and Pilgrims Way Church in East Ham.
A AAA spokesperson said: “Your kindness and care has been key to the success of the appeal.”
