Barnardos banks on generosity for toy appeal

BARNARDOS has teamed up with AIB to collect as many new toys and books as possible for 12,000 children this Christmas.

There was a great response to the Barnardos AIB toy appeal last year with more than 24,000 new toys collected that went to children from disadvantaged areas.

And they are hoping for an even better response this year as the appeal is being rolled out nationwide to every AIB branch.

The Barnardos centres provide support to children who are having difficulties adjusting to school or to families who are having difficulties with parenting.

Barnardos spokeswoman Colette Miller said AIB’s continuing support was crucial and they were thrilled the bank had teamed up with them for the Christmas toy appeal.

“We believe that Ireland could - and should - be the best place to grow up in, but we know from what we see everyday in our services that this is still not the reality,” Ms Miller said.

Many families still face poverty, children leave school early and other families are affected by alcohol and drug misuse or bereavement, Ms Miller said.

“We can only continue our work throughout the year with the support of individuals who donate to us and by the continued partnership with companies like AIB who put so much effort into supporting us,” she said.

People can bring new - unwrapped if possible - toys to any AIB branch and leave them in the special Better Ireland toy appeal bag.

Gifts go to children attending a Barnardos service and any surplus toys will help provide support services for more children in its 14 centres - making sure generosity continues long after Christmas is over.

Head of AIB’s Better Ireland Programme Jim Kelly said they were delighted to be able to give the whole country a chance to take part in such a simple but effective appeal this Christmas.

The AIB Better Ireland programme is supporting 12 Barnardos projects throughout Ireland, providing funding to services such as after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, parenting programmes, and self-esteem programmes nationwide. The appeal runs from November 29 to December 17.