Piles of smiles ahead

Hundreds of toys, and money by the fistful to help the Newark area’s needy children have flooded in to the town’s Salvation Army.

The reponse followed the appeal in last week’s Advertiser, which captured the hearts of local people.

The Army already has a list of 270 children who faced a cheerless Christmas with few presents, and this is sure to grow to more then 300.

Toys including board games, miniature pool tables, trucks and dolls, have been taken to the Newark corps’ citadel on Albert Street and are set to transform the outlook.

The Army is still counting the money that has been donated, which will buy more presents for children as young as new born babies, to 16-year-olds.

Church members are today starting the mammoth job of wrapping the presents.

The appeal co-ordinator, Mrs Heather Dicks, said: “The response has been wonderful. We have been sorting out the toys into the different age groups.

“In this town, people do so want to help other people but often don’t know how.

“We are extremely grateful to the Advertiser because if we cannot let people know what we are doing, it simply wouldn’t happen.

“Many people who have donated things said they knew about it only after seeing it in the Advertiser.

“While we were collecting money in Newark Market Place, a little girl came up to us and gave us two great big bags of presents.”

Among those making a donation on Saturday morning was Lucas Brown (8) of Cottage Lane, Collingham.

He gave £3 saved from his pocket money.

His mother, Mrs Helen Brown, raises money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and often buys discounted toys in the sales, which she then stockpiles.

Lucas said he was happy to hand over the toys, including a large toy truck, because they would be helping people less fortunate.

The toys will be given to children at the centre for the homeless in Quibells Lane and those helped by the women’s refuge, Newark Family Centre and Homestart.