A HUGE successful toy swap was held in Stocksfield Baptist Church.

Tim Knight, who came up with the idea of the toy swap which took place on Saturday, December 3, said: "The idea for the toy swap came about one sleepless night when I was thinking 'there has to be something I can do to help?' Food was getting more expensive, energy bills were going up, and the cost-of-living was becoming a real burden."

Hexham Courant: Donated toysDonated toys (Image: Stocksfield Baptist Church)

 

"As a father of two kids myself, I wanted to make sure that children don't miss out on Christmas, and parents have a way of supporting them. That's when the idea struck me to have a shop full of free children's toys that people could donate. Donations started trickling in slowly at first, and soon I was getting swamped and making collections morning noon and night.

Hexham Courant: Donated toysDonated toys (Image: Stocksfield Baptist Church)

"But it really has been a big blessing, and has proved a great witness that the people of Tyne Valley are so giving, loving and have a strong spirit to help others.

"I've been the youth worker at Stocksfield Baptist Church since 2016, and have been voluntarily doing youth and children's work all over the country for the past 22 years."