Deal Doll's Hospital gives 620 children Christmas presents after fixing and restoring used toys

Published: 06:00, 24 December 2020

Kids from struggling families will receive four to six gifts on Christmas Day thanks to volunteers who used lockdown to mend and upcycle used toys.

Deal Doll's Hospital have skillfully breathed life back into pre-loved figures, teddies, toys and models which are now ready to receive the love of a new child-owner in the morning.

Kerry Banks was 'the legs' of the project, picking up and deivering toys where she was the only one not shielding.

The project was brainstormed by ex-community organiser Chrissy Dunn and co-founded by fundraiser Kerry Banks BEM.

Their vision and the help of many volunteers, means 620 children in Deal, Dover, Aylesham and surrounding villages will have presents to open.

Mrs Banks said: “And so our Christmas project has come to the end for 2020 as the last of the gifts went out to children of families who needed extra support this year.

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"We are truly thankful to so many of you who have supported, donated, knitted, mended and sewed, to enable us to gift 4-6 gifts to over 620 children."

These bags contain restored toys that are fun, educational and will provide many happy memories

Boxes stacked high show the scale of commitment from volunteers

Chrissy Dunn hands over toys she has cleaned and restored to Kerry Banks who dropped them off to individuals and organisations who work with vulnerable families

Tracy Perrow from Homestart received the toys which she is giving out to families in Dover

Volunteers Chrissi Dunn and Kerry Banks BEM devised Deal Doll's Hospital

Keen knitters have been busy creating new outfits to dress the donated dolls

The donated toys have all been washed and disinfected ready to be gifted to new owners

More than 400 toys were donated to the Deal Doll's Hospital appeal

An assortment of toys were donated to the appeal to help struggling families this Christmas

The donated Barbies recieved a bath before having their hair styled

"We have also been able to buy Christmas dinner and food hampers for 39 in need this festive time."

Deal Dolls Hospital has partnered with what Mrs Banks described as "amazing" local organisations and people who help families needing extra support.

These include Oasis Domestic Abuse Service, Home-Start, Dover District Bechange, Crosslinks' Carina Jarvie, Sarah Bennett plus lots of individuals who contacted them.

Thanks have been given to mums at Junior Kings School and Deal Co-op Funeral Care for their donations of brand new gifts and cash donations, including those who helped with deliveries.

Mrs Banks added: "This has truly saved our souls too in these strange and uncertain times and myself and Chrissi Dunn would like to thank each and every one of you and wish you all a very safe and Happy Christmas."

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Deal Dover Sandwich

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