River Kids launches this year's toy appeal amid fears more families will need help than ever before

dailyrecord.co.uk:

West Lothian children’s charity River Kids has launched this year’s Toy Appeal.People in West Lothian can drop-off toys at venues around West Lothian which will be distributed to needy families around West Lothian.The Toy Appeal started in 1984 and since then has helped over 73,600 disadvantaged kids.River Kids have managed the appeal on behalf of the West Lothian community since 2009 and last year volunteers helped provide a bag of gifts to over 2,600 kids from over 750 families.The charity said it’s launching the appeal slightly earlier this year due to the ongoing cost of living crisis and they are expecting an increase in referrals.A spokesperson explained: “We receive referrals from agencies such as Social Work, health centres, Citizens Advice, Housing Associations, DASAT, homeless units and primary and secondary schools.“We then collect donations of new toys and pass these on to the families to ensure that their child/children will have presents to open on Christmas morning.“We require donations of toys (generally around the £15-£20 mark) which can be dropped off until December 9 at our confirmed collection points, with more to follow.”You can donate toys at:• Bonnie Quines, 68 East Main Street, Broxburn EH52 5EG• DJs Barber, 176 South Mid Street, Bathgate EH48 1DY• Hillcroft Hotel, East Main Street, Whitburn EH47 0JU• McNicoll Vehicle Hire, 19 Houston Mains Holdings, Livingston, EH52 6PA• Morrisons, 2 Linkston Way, Bathgate EH48 2SS• Nationwide Building Society, 106a Almondvale S, Livingston EH54 6HT• NowNow Café, 53, The Centre, Livingston EH54 6NB• Play Bugs, 24 Mill Rd, Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow EH49 7SF• River Kids, 63-67 East Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5EE• Stoneyburn Health Centre, Sunnyside, Main