Red Funnel to team up with Isle of Wight Radio for Christmas Toy Appeal

For the second year running, Red Funnel is stepping in to help support the Isle of Wight Radio’s Toy Appeal, collecting toys and gifts for underprivileged children living on the Island.

The appeal serves to brighten up Christmas for less fortunate local children, and spread joy to young people facing challenges from poverty through to the difficult reality of being a young carer.

Beginning Friday 4th November, Red Funnel terminals in East Cowes and West Cowes will begin accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys or gifts suitable for children aged 0-16.

The appeal ends on 9th December 2022, allowing time for every gift donated to be lovingly wrapped by volunteers and delivered to families in time for Christmas.

Fran Collins, Chief Executive of Red Funnel, said: “Helping ensure every child on the Island has a special Christmas is really important to us, and we’re humbled to support the Isle of Wight Radio Toy Appeal by turning our East and West Cowes terminals into Toy Appeal drop-off points. We’d like to say a big thank you to all those who help make Christmas special for these deserving young people. Your kindness and generosity will make their day.”

Since the Toy Appeal began ten years ago, generous Islanders and visitors have donated over 25,000 gifts and helped an estimated 3,000 children around the Island.

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For further information, please contact [email protected].

Notes to editors

About Red Funnel
Red Funnel is the original Isle of Wight ferry company with roots tracing back to 1820. Based in the UK port of Southampton, Red Funnel carries 2.3m passengers and over 800,000 vehicles on its ferry route between the UK port of Southampton and East Cowes and 1.1m passengers between Southampton and West Cowes on its Red Jet Hi-Speed service.  
In addition to ferry travel, Red Funnel is the only cross-Solent operator to offer ferry inclusive bonded holiday accommodation, attraction tickets, festival and event tickets and activity packages. Sub-brands include ‘Red Jet’ (the Hi-Speed passenger only ferry service serving West Cowes) and its on board café, ‘ReFuel’.