Our annual collection for the Newham Christmas Toy Appeal will take place at Saturday’s Men’s First Team game against Sheppey Sports.

This year, as well as a bucket shake, there will also be a stall selling old Clapton CFC merch and memorabilia donated by the club and others. Old shirts, T-shirts, programmes, prints, scrolls… Come down to the Old Spotted Dog Ground and take a look at the unique items available.

All proceeds will be donated to the Newham Christmas Toy Appeal, which now incorporates the name of its late founder Kevin Jenkins.

Now in its 47th year, the appeal provides a stocking of new gifts to children who may otherwise have nothing to unwrap on Christmas Day. It’s organised by the Newham Recorder, Community Links and local charity Ambition, Aspire, Achieve.

In Newham, over 50% of local children are now growing up in poverty. In the cost-of-living crisis, the appeal is receiving more requests for help than ever before.

All money donated will be spent on buying presents for 3000 of Newham’s most under-privileged children in advance of Christmas Day.

The target is to collect the equivalent of 15,000 new toys and gifts for young people.

Donations can also be made in person at the Terence Brown Arc In The Park, in Bethell Avenue, Canning Town, from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.

In total CCFC fans have raised over £3000 over the years for the appeal, thanks so much for your generosity.