Toy Recycle Story
Lucie Conway (pictured above), is a support worker at CrossReach's Tayside Support Services and is organiser of the CrossReach Toy Recycle. She was overwhelmed when she learned that over 1,600 people in the Dundee area had voted for the Toy Recycle to win The Courier Christmas Charity Appeal.

The Toy Recycle received £1,000 for being nominated as one of the four charities featured this year in the Christmas Charity Appeal, and an additional £1,000 for being chosen by the readers as the winner.

Speaking about the Toy Recycle event Lucie said: "We're helping 130 children this year and seeing the gratitude of their parents and that pressure lifted off their shoulders makes it all worth it."   

Inspired by young Freya Skene, the Toy Recycle also saw local firms getting involved in the spirit of Christmas by donating transport.

Volunteers at the Toy Recycle were all either in recovery from addictions or were a family member of someone affected by addiction. Due to Covid, the Recovery Café they usually volunteer in couldn't open, so they all came together to help at this event. Freya's mum also came along and was able to see, first-hand, what her daughter started.

Read what The Courier said about the project HERE.

“This is no normal ascent, Mount Everest is 8,848m or 348,336 inches tall. Team members will be jumping their way to the top” said Helen as she explained how the challenge will be completed. "The participants are in teams of 10, and each individual mountaineer will need to complete 1,936 x 18 inch box jumps, step ups or stair walks over a 40 day period to reach the summit."

Helen says “I heard about CrossReach through friends who have used their services but we didn’t really know what the charity did. After finding out about the work they do across Scotland, and in Buckie, we decided to put our efforts into raising money for them.” 

About the event, Helen says “It is going to be tough, muscles will be sore but the effort and commitment is amazing!” 

You can help to keep the team inspired and make a donation today by clicking HERE

All money raised will go directly to supporting vulnerable people across Scotland!

Good luck Team Everest and thank you, from everyone at CrossReach!

• essential supplies to keep service users and staff connected and protected. 
• telephone counselling for people who find their mental health is suffering at this time 
• ongoing loving care across all our services, including learning disabilities, homelessness, addiction recovery and children’s services