A children’s charity has teamed up with a local bank to deliver toys to families in need in the run up to the festive season.

The Coalition for the Protection of Children has launched its Toys for Tots campaign in conjunction with HSBC Bermuda, and is asking for the public to donate toys to those who cannot afford them.

Kelly Hunt, Executive Director, the Coalition for the Protection of Children (CPC) said: “We look forward to working with HSBC to deliver some holiday cheer to our families again this year.

“The CPC continues to be grateful for the generous support from the community for the Toys for Tots programme.

“We would like to thank everyone who has participated in this initiative over the years – the past two years have been particularly stressful for those who are struggling to make ends meet.

“Thankfully, Bermuda has always demonstrated its philanthropic spirit each year and helps to alleviate some of that stress over the holiday period. Now more than ever, we hope that people will support the families who need assistance.

“Another fantastic aspect of Toys for Tots is the impact it has on our young people in terms of instilling the spirit of giving. We are very excited to continue this initiative in partnership with HSBC and are hopeful for another successful year”.

The campaign is now in its nineteenth year and has managed to deliver more than 2,000 Christmas presents and other essential items – such as diapers, baby formula and grocery vouchers – to the poor each year.

Judy Doidge, the corporate secretary of HSBC Bermuda said: “It is evident that our community continues to face many challenges since the onset of the pandemic.

“These hardships have led to an increase in families and individuals seeking assistance and support from our local charities and our community.

“Last year we did note there had been a slight decrease in donated toys due to what can be interpreted as members of our community experiencing financial pressures and constraints across the board.

“Despite the decline, however, the CPC were still able to gift toys, food hampers and other essential items to all the children and families which made the request for such support to the charity.

“Toys for Tots continues to be a good example of how our community works together to ensure its members feel supported through what may be considered a very stressful time for some families.

“In addition to this appeal, HSBC will once again donate $20,000 to the Coalition to provide an estimated 150 grocery hampers and vouchers to families for the holidays.

“On behalf of HSBC Bermuda, I would like to thank the retail vendors and corporate entities that continue to support this initiative in collecting donated items and also to those individuals who provide donations towards this worthy cause annually, without whom could not be a success.”

Donated items can be dropped off at the following participating retail vendors: The Annex Toys, Price Rite (both locations), Bermuda Bookstore, Gorham’s, Arnold’s Discount Warehouse, People’s Pharmacy and at the Habourview Centre, Somerset, Church Street and St George’s HSBC bank branches.

The campaign runs through December 3.