A WOKINGHAM charity delivering toys to youngsters in the borough at Christmas, has posted an image via social media to explain why they ask people not to pre-wrap their gifts.
First Days Children’s Charity, like many other organisations accepting gifts for youngsters at Christmas, asks people kindly not to wrap presents they donate.
The charity has received an inappropriate toy that reminded them how important it is for all gifts to be checked before being given to a child.
An obviously male teddy dressed in bondage found its way into the donations basket, and was immediately removed by First Days volunteers.
CEO of the charity Emma Cantrell, said: “We had been discussing this issue recently.
“An adult toy like this is a prime example of why we ask people, please, not to wrap presents for youngsters.
“It can feel wonderful to make a gift look exciting by packaging it beautifully, and it can be done with the very best of intentions.
“But this example is ample evidence that we need to be able to see and check every Christmas present that comes in.
“Imagine how a child would feel if it had been given to them on Christmas Day.”
It is not known whether the item was donated accidentally, or with intention to upset.
“I would like to think that it was inadvertently dropped into the wrong donation bag when someone was having a clear out,” said Ms Cantrell.
“It was meant as a joke, it really wasn’t funny, and any other reason for it being there would be quite sinister.”
It may not be a suitable gift for a child, but the teddy can serve as a positive reminder for gift-givers to children’s charities everywhere, not to parcel up their donation.
“We sometimes feel mean asking people not to, but as this example shows, it’s important that we do,” said Ms Cantrell.
For information about the charity, visit: www.firstdays.net
