news our press releases
Update from the Christmas Appeal
01 Jan 2007
Once again, we have enjoyed such generosity from individuals, local organisations and companies. We are proud to say that:
- 3,127 children received a bag of gifts to open on Christmas morning. – 938 children attended a Christmas party. – 111 families at risk received a festive food hamper. – 746 children enjoyed the thrill of a live Christmas pantomime at the theatre. – 1,204 children enjoyed our seasonal Puss in Boots roadshow. – 100 children enjoyed free ice skating at Broadgate Arena – 27 Community Links year round projects are utilising good quality second hand toys collected by the Appeal.
Here are some words of thanks from the families who benefited:
When I opened the bags I just couldn’t believe my eyes and I cried – Parent with two disabled children under 5.
I just couldn’t believe the quality of the presents and the care you take to ensure that the gifts suit the children. I have never known any other appeal like it thank you – Family support worker with over 30 years experience.
I will never forget the room full of children’s smiling faces and parents with their eyes watering – Women’s Refuge – Christmas morning 2006.
I thank you, you have given my children a Christmas – Relieved and thankful parent.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT IS TRULY APPRECIATED!
Co-Founder scoops top award
David Robinson picked up a Great Britons Award (Public Life) for his work over 30 years with Community Links and We Are What We Do. The awards recognise outstanding British achievement over the past year. The following is what the Daily Telegraph say about David…
“Give blood”, “Blow the whistle on bullies”: with such simple prods to action, the We Are What We Do (WAWWD) movement is becoming an international force. Millions worldwide have now read Change the World for a Fiver and Change the World 9 to 5. And the man behind this, and more direct action to improve the quality of life, is 50-year-old David Robinson.
In 1977, soon after he left school, he founded Community Links in the East End of London. His idea was to help solve problems on housing estates such as broken lifts and violence by working with those who suffer directly from them. Fifty thousand people are now involved in East London and this approach has been copied elsewhere in the country.
Robinson’s rallying cries include, “Causes not symptoms”, “Solutions not palliatives” and “Act local but think global”. He has extended their reach through his books. The idea that many people making small changes can bring major shifts is now common currency.
The judges commended him not just for “the snowball effect”, but for three decades of working “quietly” and showing “genuine concern”.