The Tuk Tuk Time Elves will be out in force with Tinman Tuesday Kilgetty and Surrounding Areas on Tuesday, November 30 to collect items via Tuk Tuk for Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship (PATCH).

Tinman Tuesday Kilgetty are taking bookings for anyone who would like to donate to PATCH’s Christmas Toy Appeal and Foodbank in a bid to support families facing hard times over Christmas.

The popular PATCH Toy Appeal collects donations of new toys and family games, new gifts and new books for children aged 0 to 17 years. Chocolate and Christmas food gifts with long use by dates are also accepted.

Tracy, PATCH said: “The community have been, and continue to be, incredibly generous to PATCH. Tinman Tuesday Kilgetty collect for us regularly. It all started during the lockdown and hasn’t stopped since. A special thank you to Sharron for keeping the collections going. What an amazing community!”

PATCH’s Toy Appeal has been generously supported by Pembrokeshire people over the past 11 years, it is hoped this support will continue. During the 2021 Toy Appeal launch on Pure West Radio Lee Hind, PAVS, said: “For most people it’s unthinkable that their children might wake up on Christmas morning with little, or even nothing to open. But for families on a penny-to-penny budget, it’s a grim reality.”

This not only effects those out of work, it affects carers, self-employed, part and fulltime workers who, despite budgeting, face unexpected bills leaving them struggling to pay for basic needs. In 2020 7,425 people were helped with food parcels by PATCH, with 1,736 toys distributed in the last two years. PATCH reports rising demands, especially since the fall in Universal Credit. PATCH Toy Appeal was called: ‘A light in a very dark place’.

“We’re very thankful for the community’s outstanding support for PATCH’s Foodbank. As Christmas draws near people often like to support PATCH’s Toy Appeal too. Tuk Tuk Time owner, Lorraine Niederlag, kindly offered to help with the winter collections, thinking it would be fun to get Elves driving the Tuk Tuks! So, if you’d like a visit from the Tuk Tuk Time Elves please send us a message and we’ll book you in!” shared Sharron Hardwick, Tinman Tuesday Kilgetty.

In addition to toys, all dried, tinned and packet food, squash, tea, coffee, biscuits, pet food and any Christmas food with at least three months date on them; sanitary, washing and cleaning products will be gratefully accepted.

“The Community are always so supportive of Tuk Tuk Time and so we’re delighted to assist with this very worthy cause involving our community,” added Lorraine, Tuk Tuk Time

Those wishing to donate to PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal and Foodbank, living in the Kilgetty and surrounding areas, can book in collection of their donations with the Tuk Tuk Time Elves by contacting: @TinmanTuesdayKilgetty or emailing [email protected]

Those living outside of the Kilgetty area can donate to PATCH via various drop off points.