Dozens of toys and hundreds of pounds donated to Newark Women's Aid

More than 50 toys were collected for women and children who have suffered domestic abuse following an appeal spearheaded by Newark Fire Station.

Firefighter Mr Darren Badley approached the Morrison’s supermarket in Newark and collection points were set up both there and at the fire station.

The toys will be donated to Newark Women’s Aid, which runs a refuge for domestic abuse victims and their families. It has supported 50 families so far this year, while its outreach service has helped 52.

Mrs Marlene Ferris, refuge manager, said: “Funding has been really difficult for us over the last few years – we have been really struggling.

“We have relied on the community to keep going and the support from the fire service and Morrison’s has been amazing.”

Mrs Lucy Barker, refuge support worker and outreach worker, said: “Giving new toys to children is so important because they have often left home with nothing.”

BNM Alliance and Severn Trent also contributed seven toys, including a drone and MP3 player, to the appeal.

Mr Badley said he was delighted with the response from the general public.

'It has been overwhelming'

“On a personal note, it has been overwhelming,” he said. “People have donated not just presents for Christmas but also things that can be used for the rest of the year.

“Newark Women’s Aid is a great charity and it needs supporting.”

Gelder Group, which is building the new Newark fire station, has donated £200. Total donations have reached £1,000.

Morrison’s supported the Salvation Army last year. Mrs Lindsey Edwards, the Newark store’s customer champion, said: “We’ve had even more donations this year. We put signage on the toy aisle to encourage people.

“This is an initiative that we are probably going to carry on doing every year.”

More information about Newark Women’s Aid can be found at www.newarkwomensaid.com