CRAM THE VAN 2022

Radio Skye to launch Cram The Van Toy Appeal early to help with the cost-of-living crisis

Radio Skye will to be launching its “Cram the Van” Christmas Toy Appeal for 2022 one week early this year to try and encourage more support for the appeal in what is going to be a difficult year financially for families. The station has been doing extra fundraising this year including a Sky Dive which raised £900 in September, the recent 24-Hour Live Broadcast event in early October brought the total to £2000 that will pay for gift vouchers and extra toys and toiletry gift packs. On the 1^st of November, Radio Skye will be delivering the famous red toy bins across Skye and Lochalsh for the community to drop in brand-new toys that can be given to local families at Christmas time. The station works in partnership with local agencies who arrange the distribution. The campaign is completely confidential and is designed so that Radio Skye only gets a list of ages and genders, the gifts are then collected by the agencies for delivery a week before Christmas. This means that families can wrap the gifts to give to their children without the worry about the cost.

The campaign, coming up its 9^th year in 2022 has donated thousands of new toys and gifts and have helped families all over Skye and Lochalsh to have a better Christmas. This year we are living in unprecedented times with a cost of living crisis and souring inflation rates. Government reports say rural poverty has been increasing with more and more people ending up unable to make ends meet, so Radio Skye are hoping that people who can donate will, to help those who are in need.

Station Manager Suzy Lee says ‘There is a growing disparity between families who can well afford Christmas and those who really struggle to afford it at all and get themselves into debt doing so. We just really want to appeal to those who are in a better position to help those in our local community who are going to find Christmas a difficult time. Every year we are overwhelmed by the support the campaign gets and we hope even though everyone is trying to tighten their belts this year that it will be supported well again this year. We know kids love Christmas and we just want all young people in Skye and Lochalsh to enjoy this special time.’

She goes on to say ‘ Last year we spent over £4000 on gift vouchers and extra toys, so donating money and sponsoring the campaign is really encouraged but please don’t leave it too late as all vouchers need ordered and delivered to families before the 18^th of December.

Morag Hannah, Bureau Manger of Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau says ‘We are always delighted to one of the partner agencies, we see first-hand what a difference it can make to families.

They will have Big Red Toy Bins at the following locations around Skye and Lochalsh where you can drop them off:

Rankins, Uig

Portree Co-op (Woodpark Road)

Broadford Co-op

Kyle Co-op

Staffin Stores

Kyle Post Office

MacIntyre’s Toy Shop, Portree

RBS Portree

Radio Skye Studio, Portree

 The Red Bins will be out in shops for four weeks from Tuesday 1^st of November until Monday 5th December. These donations will be distributed to local families by our partners in good time for Christmas.

All toys must be brand new and unwrapped, used toys cannot be accepted. If you would rather make a donation, you can do this via our Cram The Van Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cramthevan2022 All money goes to buying gift vouchers. Radio Skye is also appealing to businesses to sponsor the campaign or give one-off donations as part of their charity giving.

This year Radio Skye will be working alongside local agencies and groups including Highland Council Social Work Department, Skye Health Visitors, Youth Action Team, Highland Council Benefits and Welfare Department, Ross and Skye Women’s Aid, Skye and Lochalsh Community Food Bank, Skye and Lochalsh Citizens Advice Bureau, Skye And Lochalsh Young Carers as well as the local schools.

For more information and on how to make a donation, please contact Suzy on 01478 611796 or suzy@radioskye.com