Published Article

HeadlineStoke Newington parents collecting toys in Christmas appeal

Short HeadlineStokey Parents group aiming to collect five thousand toys for the under privileged

StandfirstIncreased child poverty rates in the Haringey Borough has made Christmas presents difficult for many parents

With Halloween out the way, most parents will be turning their attention to Christmas.

For children, this means presents.

However, not everyone will experience the same luxury.

Child poverty in Hackney has reached 42%, and has not showed any signs of improving.

Because of this, Christmas presents are not the main priority for some parents this year, rather, making enough just to get by.

But there is one group in Hackney who want to ensure everyone gets a present, no matter their situation.

Stokey Parents was established in 2017 as a toy appeal, designed to collect donated presents and distribute them to those in need at Christmas.

Founder and mother Jenna Fenza explained her motivation for starting the appeal:

“Living somewhere like Stoke Newington you can’t help but notice the deprivation on our doorstep and I couldn’t stand to think there are children that will wake up to nothing this Christmas.”

And speaking to other parents in the area, it is clear that a lot of people share these concerns.

“I think there are huge differences in Hackney, and the toy appeal offers us another chance to bridge the gap and help others in need” said one mum.

Another mother described the toy appeal as “a real institution,” and viewed it as “like buying a present for one of her own.”

It is anticipated that they will smash their 5 thousand presents target this year.