Toy drive fuels local festive cheer for Marylebone children

Staff and students at London Business School have donated over 540 Christmas presents for local youngsters in the ward of Church Street.

The area in Marylebone is among the top 5% most deprived areas in England, with high levels of unemployment, crime and inadequate housing.

With the community being in close proximity to the School, employees and students like to support local children, aged from one to 12, by organising annual festive toy drives.

This is the third year of the initiative and so far there have been more than 1,600 toys donated by the School overall.

The gifts will be handed out at nurseries, the children's ward at St Mary's Hospital and children’s parties organised by the community up until 20 December.

Kate Donovan, Operations Manager, CityWest Direct, providers of housing management services, maintaining and improving homes across Westminster, said: ‘’This is a fantastic initiative that benefits so many of our children in the Lisson Green and Church Street area. Our residents really appreciate the support and it’s great to see the children’s faces when they receive their present from Santa.’’

Meanwhile, Tina Clark, Chair of London Business School's Community Action Group, revealed that the initiative is just as important to those involved with the School.

She said: "Our annual toy drive is very popular with colleagues and students. We value our growing relationship with the local community and derive a lot of pleasure from giving something back in this way".