The Camp Simcha Chanucah Toy Drive attracted thousands of children from over 40 Jewish day schools and chederim who brought in a toy for children in hospital.
Over 35 volunteers spent a day sorting and packing a mountain of toys at the Camp Simcha centre in Hendon. Dozens of volunteers then delivered sack loads of toys to over 100 hospital wards and children’s hospices around the South East.
The packers this year were encouraged by a visit from The Guardian journalist and JC columnist Jonathan Freedland. “I was flabbergasted when I saw the amount of toys. Clearly Camp Simcha has captured the imagination of the community and a huge level of generosity from the children and their families,” he said.
Hospitals to benefit from the toys include Great Ormond Street, UCH, The Royal Marsden, The Royal Free, Watford and Barnet General Hospitals.
Neville Goldschneider, executive director of Camp Simcha, said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has helped with this year’s Chanucah Toy Drive. We have been told by so many nurses that these toys make a huge difference to the children that receive them.”
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