Scarborough Couple collecting toys for those in need this Christmas

A young couple living in Cumbria have been working hard to make a difference to the lives of young people in Scarborough this Christmas.
By Louise Perrin
Published 25th Nov 2020, 17:14 BST
Updated 25th Nov 2020, 17:47 BST

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Joe and Courtney show off the toys they have collectedJoe and Courtney show off the toys they have collected
Joe and Courtney show off the toys they have collected

Joe Maw, 23, and Courtney Richardson, 22, are both from the town, but currently living away while at university.

Joe, who is studying law at the University of Northumbria, said: “It was something we both wanted to do. We’ve got quite a following on social media, so we’re trying to make sure kids who wouldn’t normally get presents get presents.”

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Joe, a former Graham School student, said his social media accounts became popular after he spent six years playing Johnny Taylor in CBBC television series Tracy Beaker Returns

The toys have been gifted by the couple's social media followersThe toys have been gifted by the couple's social media followers
The toys have been gifted by the couple's social media followers

He said: “We’ve set up a wish list on Amazon, so if anybody wants to get involved, they can do so by checking out our tiktok and instagram pages Its_JoeandCourtney.

The Amazon wish list, aptly titled “Make Christmas Special for Everyone”, contains all sorts of toys, from Hogwarts jigsaws to baby blocks.

Courtney said: “There are gifts on the wish list from £1 up to however much you want to spend.”

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People wishing to join the campaign need to order by November 29 as the couple intend to return to Scarborough as soon as it is legal and practical for them to do so.

The couple will pass the toys to Scarborough Lions to deliver to those in needThe couple will pass the toys to Scarborough Lions to deliver to those in need
The couple will pass the toys to Scarborough Lions to deliver to those in need

So far they have collected over 250 toys in their upstairs bedroom. They will then pass the gifts to the Scarborough Lions on their return.

The presents will be given to Santa to distribute on his sleigh to places such as the Rainbow Centre and the Domestic Abuse Centre.

Courtney, a former George Pindar student, is training to be a primary school teacher at the University of Cumbria. She said: “I’m very child orientated. I’ve always been aware of children in poverty and I said to Joe why don’t we do something to try and help.

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Joe said: “ As much as anything, after how naff this year has been we’ve been thinking we can’t wait for Christmas, but for some kids that’s not an option, and we want to make that happen.”

If you’d like to buy a gift you can find the Amazon wish list here.

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Related topics:CumbriaScarborough