Who We Are

The Great Notts Christmas Toy Appeal started life back in 1972 as part of the charity Family Care. This was an adoption agency based at Plantagenet Street in Nottingham and founder, Joyce Whitt, began as a volunteer there when she adopted her son from them. "We found there were lots of children coming into the centre that needed support…….children on the 'at risk' register, were in children’s homes, that needed support… that needed a helping hand" With other helpers, she took over the boardroom at Family Care at Christmas, and began to collect and wrap presents. There was a lot of need", she remembers, "...what we thought was an awful lot of children to help, that number being a hundred" The collection was made, wrapped and distributed by the small group and the appeal became a regular event in the calendar. The volunteers also took children out on day trips throughout the year.

As it gained support, nearby St Ann's church was used as a collection point and for a time, the pews held the Christmas gifts whilst they were sorted.

A rare picture of the appeal as it was during the years at St Ann's Church. Nick Clark, who took the picture, recalled "the light was streaming in through the church window and the pews were covered with a riot of colour from the soft toys and presents that were donated. It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit"

The problems with using the old church soon became apparent however, when rats got in and helped themselves to the contents of the selection boxes! The dates of use were also limited by the need for church services.

By the early 2000s, a new home was found at St John's, Bilborough, which had an excellent parish hall. The need was outstripping the supply of toys though, and the 2017 appeal ran out of presents on the final day. Family Care to, was struggling, and in 2018 the charity closed, very suddenly, due to financial problems. Although they had little time to prepare, they had already announced they would be unable to maintain the appeal and a group of volunteers and donators was already assembled to help. Unfortunately, the closure stopped their plans before any changes could be finalised. With no further time available, Nick Clark, one of the regular supporters, went to the offices of Family Care on Magdala Road, to collect the paperwork. "I knew that time was not on our side and that if we let the appeal miss a year, then volunteers, donators and staff would get involved in other projects and it would be over" he stated. This led him to immediately contact Bev Lockyer, a close friend, and ask if she would take over the admin. Once she agreed, he went to collect the appeal's database "It was that near to finishing. I think the photocopier was bubble-wrapped and the office was virtually closed" he remembered.

The new-look appeal was rebranded as 'The Great Notts Christmas Toy Appeal" - the name chosen deliberately so that an internet search for any of the words would bring up the name appeal first. The branding also produced Theo the Bear, the appeal's new front man. Nick Clark brought him into being. "I found a bear on an art site in America and also the Christmas present image. Very early one morning, I contacted the site and asked if we could use the image for our appeal and they agreed - at no charge. I added the present onto the bear's lap and we had our own unique logo." That same year, long-standing volunteer,Rita Sherrard, found an exact match for the bear in a charity shop and with her husband David, they created an identical present to the logo and attached it to the bear. The appeal had its mascot.

Original founder Joyce Whitt has done all of the toy appeals since 1972. Here she talks to Nick Clark, current appeals organiser, and Theo, the bear mascot. The churches who were the first donators and the original volunteers and staff remain an integral part of the present day appeal.

One final ingredient was still missing from the first appeal of the new era and this came via a phone call very early on. Emma Machin, from Rolls-Royce brought in a much needed collection and personnel and they have been committed to the appeal ever since. Another local major player, ITP Aero, also joined and the collection has grown rapidly from helping one hundred children back in 1972, to over two thousand now. Over twenty volunteers every day work to sort the gifts and there is an informal meet-up in 'Theo's Cafe' at St John's, for older workers who just want to join in the excitement and fellowship. That sense of continuity is everything and in 2024, The Great Notts Christmas Toy Appeal was accepted as a registered charity in its own right. The first board of trustees comprised of Nick Clark (Appeal Organiser), Bev Lockyer (Admin Officer) Emma Machin (Business Liaison) and Hazel Clark (Donations). With all these names already known and many older faces still on board, the appeal looks set to continue with its mission to aid the most needy children in Notts for many years to come.

Left - Two of the longest serving volunteers - Rita Sherrard and Joyce Whitt

Right - Volunteers at the annual collection