THANK YOU, thank you, 13,500 times over. So many people came forward to help the Christmas appeal run by Community Links and the Recorder in the last few days. And we were well and truly sleighed by your kindness, writes COLIN GRAINGER, The Editor. Toy

THANK YOU, thank you, 13,500 times over.

So many people came forward to help the Christmas appeal run by Community Links and the Recorder in the last few days.

And we were well and truly sleighed by your kindness, writes COLIN GRAINGER, The Editor.

Toy Collections came from a variety of people. We would like to thank - Merrill Lynch; Chevron; Free Mantle Media (including total �1,742 cash; NB Real Estates; TPG (total �1300 cash); Mann Group (and �960 cash); Fidelity; Bank of New York Mellon; XL Capital and Zurich; Henderson Global; Electoral Reform Services; ExCeL and ELBA.

Then there's the Royal College of Anaesthetics; Wates; Ricoh Europe; Costain; Dunbar Bank; Brewin Leighton Paisner LCP; Tower 42; Barclays Capital; ING; Investee; Drummond Madell; BNP Paribas; Lake House Construction; Bircham Dyson Bell LPP; Sony Pictures; Bank of England and Newham Youth Offending Team.

General donations came in from a number of sources. We want to thank - The Hicks and Brazil families of East Ham; St Angela's School, Forest Gate, who raised �366.65; Langdon School, East Ham, who staged a non uniform day and gave us �1,058; Primark, who gave us �100 vouchers; Gainsborough School �50; Glyn Hopkins, �3,700; Forest Prep School Walthamstow, who donated toys; Writtle United Reform Church, who gave toys, William Davies School who staged a non uniform day and collected �120; The Royal Docks Trust, who weighed in with �1,300 and Variety Club of Great Britain, who donated �300.

There were donations also from Land Securities of �500 and Lawrence Barry and Co �50.

Merchandise came from : Twentieth Century Fox; Target Entertainment; Character Options and Flair. Donations were so welcome and were tranflated into toys immediately. We want to thank Head Office Cleaning services for �250; Capitol Engineering who gave �50; Oval Insurance �500; O'Shea �500; Air Pumping �100; Edwards and Duthie �100; Pura Foods �50.

There was also money from Scrutton Estates, who gave us �500; Clancy �200; Newham Magistrates Court �1,000; Rigel Shipping �50; William Lee �50; Bowlings �150; Kesslers �50; Arriva �250; London City Airport �400; Trinity Mirror �750; Adam & Sutherland �150. John Peasnall �20. Hawkins Brown Architects �250.

Individuals also made it a Christmas to remember. We want to thank Mrs Cunningham for toys, Mrs O'Donnell, Mrs Bent, Mr Orris, Mrs Merritt, Simon Hyde, R Wickers and Chloe Nwachvkv who all donated toys. Mrs O'Connell also gave �30, Mr & Mrs Gittens �20, Mrs Hestover �20, Mr Sutton �50, Mr Vickers �25, Ms Stock �25, Patrick Newsom �30 and Sarah Ruiz �20.

Toy Services at which toys and money were given were staged at: Minster Reform Church, Chadwell Heath; East Ham Methodist Church; St Michaels - Gidea Park; South Woodham Methodist Church, who also gave �100; St Nicholas Church Kelvedon Hatch; Saint Saviours Forest Gate; United Reform Church Brentwood; St James and St John Church.

Books were given to the appeal by - Bibllophile Poplar Bloomsbury Books; Usborne Publishing; Letterbox Library; Wennedge; Nursery World and Barrington Stoke

Toys came from Tomy UK; Orchards Toys; Revell; Vivid Imaginations; Jumbo Games and Great Gizmos.

St Mary's Church in Broomfield, Chelmsford, staged a toy service and donated toys. Nationwide in Barking Road, East Ham, collected more gifts, and West Ham United donated 130 goodie bags.

Thank you all so much.

See in paper for pictures of the final few days of our appeal