Barnardos asks shoppers to help make a child’s Christmas

Barnardos has launched its annual Christmas Toy Appeal, supported by GLS ParcelShops. The children’s charity is asking shoppers in Dublin to add the Barnardos Christmas Toy Appeal to their shopping lists this festive season and help make a child’s Christmas.

Every Christmas Barnardos needs gifts for children of all ages, from babies through to teenagers.

The charity asks that all gifts are new and unwrapped and has a handy gift guide available on its website, www.barnardos.ie, to help shoppers choose age-appropriate toys and gifts.

For the seventh year running, GLS ParcelShops are supporting the Barnardos Toy Appeal. You can drop your gift off at a GLS Parcel Shop and it will be delivered in time for Christmas. To find your local GLS ParcelShops visit www.barnardos.ie/toyappeal.

The GLS ParcelShops in The Echo’s readership area are located at Rathgar Drycleaners, 7 Orwell Road, Rathgar, Expert Hardware Unit 20 , Goldenbridge Ind Est, Inchicore, Expert Hardware, Crumlin Village, Crumlin, Bolands Expert Hardware, 349 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Mannions Newsagents, 4 Castle Way, Clondalkin and Expert Hardware, 9 Sundrive Road, Kimmage.

Speaking at the launch, Barnardos’ CEO Fergus Finlay said: “For most of us, Christmas brings up happy memories. But for many of the families we work with in Barnardos, it can be a burden.

“Thousands of children and families are facing hardships every day across the country – and we see first-hand the extra pressure they come under at Christmas.”

In relation to gift choices, Barnardos recommends activity toys, pre-school toys for Infants and toddlers, soft toys, action toys, character toys such as Peppa Pig and SpongeBob SquarePants for three-to six-year-olds, board games, dressing-up outfits, books, cars for seven-to-nine-year-olds and books, jewellery, games, music toiletries and clothes vouchers for 10- to 15-year-olds.

Barnardos provides specialised early intervention and prevention services to over 13,100 children and families in 40 communities across Ireland.

They work with children of all ages, from infants up to teenagers.