There was an atmosphere of feverish excitement at Toys R Us in Brent Cross on Sunday 7 December, when 40 children from across Norwood’s services took part in the Charity’s annual Toy Sweep.
In one action-packed hour on Sunday morning, the £4,000 raised by the Toy Sweep Committee, was spent on games, CDs, DVDs, art materials, books and toys. The children, together with their parents and Norwood’s support staff shopped for a Chanukah gift list compiled by Norwood’s three Children and Family Centres; Unity, its recreational play and youth service; and Buckets and Spades Lodge, its respite care home for children with learning disabilities.
On the day, members of the Toy Sweep Committee, who raised the money through a bridge and Kalooki event in May, and a screening of ‘Quantum of Solace’ last month, performed the role of ‘trolley dollies’, racing around the store while the children picked up the goodies. On top of this, each child who attended the Toy Sweep was given a £12 voucher to buy a Chanukah gift of their choice.
Tammy Youngerwood, one of the parents who attended the event, said: “We’ve had a wonderful outing today and it has been great to see all the children enjoying themselves. The Toy Sweep is great fun and the Committee have organised a fantastic day.”
Another parent, Yael Blatter, added: “It has been an amazing day and a pleasure to have Toys R Us to ourselves this morning. My daughter has enjoyed every minute of the Toy Sweep.”
The Toy Sweep Committee has organised the Toy Sweep for the past ten years for Norwood, the UK’s leading charity supporting children, families and adults, coping with disabilities and social disadvantage, in the Jewish community and beyond.
Debra Kleinman, Chairman of the Toy Sweep Committee, said: “For the past 12 months we have worked hard to raise the funds to spend at the event, which has been another great success. We are delighted to be the only committee raising funds for this purpose, which will continue to benefit many deserving children across Norwood’s services for years to come.”
For further information, photos and interviews, please contact Michael Siva, Public Relations Officer at Norwood, on 020 8420 6900 or email pressoffice@norwood.org.uk.
