Simply the best! We reach our Christmas Toy Appeal target

SIMPLY THE BEST! We are almost lost for words. We've only gone and done it!

The story of this year's Community Links and Newham Recorder Christmas Toy Appeal really does prove why Newham is such a special place.

East London generosity of spirit is alive and well.

Don't let anyone tell you that East London has lost its community spirit.

For the last six weeks we really did think that for the first time in 32 years we would fail. Our appeal reached its target just before the final deadline., writes COLIN GRAINGER, The Editor

Just in time for Father Christmas to arrive we have reached our target of toys for needy children. We have collected the equivalent of 13,500 toys for youngsters who need them most. Despite the doom and gloom that has hit everywhere this year, we can all really feel good at this special time of year. Our appeal in conjunction with a group that is at the very heart of local life in our borough truly does symbolise hope much hope we can take into 2010.

The donations came in big and small. Because of our seasonal deadlines, we cannot thank everyone in today's paper. We will run more details showing the joy YOU all gave in our next issue. Our appeal has provided gifts for more than 3,000 children to open on Christmas morning, and families at risk and senior citizens living alone had a seasonal food hamper to help them through Christmas.

The work of the staff and volunteers at Community Links is so special, I find it hard to put into words what special people they are. They epitomise everything that is good in life.

Kevin Jenkins of Community Links said: "It is such a supreme effort from everyone involved and the happiness in the children's faces makes it all so worthwhile."

Watch out for more in paper to end the year on a seasonal note of goodwill next week!