The Mortgage Quarter needs your Help

The Mortgage Quarter’s Annual Christmas Present Appeal is in full swing and with less than one week to go, the team urgently need help collecting brand new toys for highly vulnerable children across the South West.

Award-winning mortgage brokers and professional property experts, The Mortgage Quarter have teamed up with CoLab Exeter and three other local charities to make Christmas special for local, vulnerable children. They require brand new, unwrapped presents which must contain the CE mark for children aged 2 months - 16 years.

Christmas is a magical time of year for many, but for some families, it can be a time of great difficulty and stress. Difficult personal circumstances, financial pressures and the fallout from a challenging year mean many families are struggling. Doing what they can to help, The Mortgage Quarter have chosen to work with three incredible local charities for this year’s toy drive including ‘More Positive Me’ and ‘Promoting Choice Project’.

More Positive Me is a community interest company that works with people who have been impacted by domestic abuse, with a focus on empowerment and encouragement to move forward.

Promoting Choice is a 2 year project running until March 2023. It is a partnership between Splitz Devon and Resilient Women CoLab Exeter, providing services across Devon and Torbay. The aim of the charity is to improve access to pre and post-natal care, early years care (up to 2 ½) and parental health care for women and their families. The focus is on women and their families who face individual, structural or cultural barriers to accessing and engaging with existing services. Many of the women struggle financially and with Christmas coming up, they would greatly benefit from toys they can give as Christmas presents to their children to alleviate some of the stresses this time of year can bring.

Due to the highly sensitive nature of the third charity, the name is unable to be disclosed. This charity is supporting 113 children aged between 2 months old – 16 years of age, who without help won’t have the Christmas they deserve.

Mortgage Advisor & Co Founder James Miles, says: “Charity work has always been very high on our agenda and we have enjoyed supporting our community in many, quantifiable ways. A huge driving force for succeeding in our business is knowing what we can give back to our local community. Having donated three years running to the Children’s ward at Exeter’s RD&E Bramble Unit, our latest 2021 Christmas toy donation is focused on working with three incredible local charities, whose work really struck a chord with us all in the office. We hope that this year’s Christmas Present Appeal will enable more families to enjoy Christmas, despite the unusual pressures and uncertainty that this year has brought upon many. If we can bring a smile to the most deserving children this Christmas morning, then it is 100% worth it.”’

Gifting suggestions include:

0-3 years: dolls, teddy bears, cot mobiles, baby clothes, bath toys, CDs of suitable music and nursery rhymes, puzzles.
3-5: dolls and action figures, cars, lorries, DVDs and CDs (music and nursery rhymes), colouring sets, pencils, crayons, books, puzzles.
5-9: educational games & toys, stationery (colouring sets, pencils, crayons, school sets), CDs & family friendly DVDs, books, puzzles, wordsearch, crosswords.
9-12: games and toys, stationery, DVDs, books, t-shirts, hair accessories, gloves, scarves, hats.
13-16: books, make-up and toiletries (please try to ensure non-allergic ingredients if possible), gloves, scarves, hats, t-shirts, hair accessories and gift vouchers.

Please note, The Mortgage Quarter are unable to accept used or second hand items for the appeal. The toys must be brand new, unwrapped and display the CE or kite safety mark.

As in previous years, toys can be ordered and delivered directly to The Mortgage Quarter’s address or those that are local may deliver them in person.

Drop off Address:

The Mortgage Quarter
23 Richmond Road
Exeter
EX4 4JF

Drop off deadline: 16th December 2021.