Leave an unopened advent calendar or a new toy at any of 11 Rowland Brothers branches in October and November. The foundation sends them to local foodbanks.
Croydon funeral directors Rowland Brothers are asking readers to buy an extra advent calendar or a new toy this year and leave it at one of their branches, so it can go to a local foodbank in time for Christmas.
The appeal is run by the firm’s charity, the Rowland Brothers Foundation (registered charity 1171808). Its poster says it is collecting unopened advent calendars to give to local foodbanks, and that collections run throughout October and November at all Rowland Brothers branches. The foundation’s message to us adds new toys to the list.
“This year, we are hoping to collect lots of advent calendars and toys to send to our local foodbanks to support those who might be struggling this Christmas,” the foundation said.
Why a funeral director is doing this
The firm says it has been supporting local people in Croydon and across South London for more than 150 years, and that the family behind it, Steve, Tony and Joe Rowland, are behind the appeal.
“Steve, Tony and Joe Rowland care about Croydon, their family have done so for over a century,” the foundation said. “Through the Rowland Brothers Foundation, they hope to help more families this Christmas.”
How to give
The ask is short. “Got a new toy you can donate? Could you buy a few extra calendars? Please drop them off to any of our branches and we will do the rest,” the foundation said.
Calendars need to be unopened, and toys new.
The drop-off points
| Branch | Address |
|---|---|
| Rowland Brothers, Croydon (head office) | 299-303 Whitehorse Road, Croydon, CR0 2HR |
| JB Shakespeare, Croydon head office | 1 Norfolk House, Wellesley Road, Croydon, CR0 1LH |
| JB Shakespeare, Selsdon branch | 175 Selsdon Park Road, Croydon, CR2 8JJ |
| Selsdon & District Funeral Service | 204 Addington Road, South Croydon, CR2 8LD |
| Rowland Brothers, Purley | 44 High Street, Purley, CR8 2AA |
| Rowland Brothers, Beddington | 15 The Broadway, Plough Lane, Beddington, CR0 4QR |
| Rowland Brothers, Old Coulsdon | 9 The Parade, Old Coulsdon, CR5 1EH |
| Rowland Brothers, New Addington | 32 Central Parade, New Addington, CR0 0JD |
| Rowland Brothers, Warlingham | 434 Limpsfield Road, Warlingham, CR6 9LG |
| Rowland Brothers, West Wickham | 110-112 High Street, West Wickham, BR4 0ND |
| Colin Fisher Funeral Directors | 109 Cotmandene Crescent, Orpington, Kent, BR5 2RB |
What it means for you
If you are already buying advent calendars for your own household, picking up one more and leaving it at the Whitehorse Road head office, or at the branch in Purley, Coulsdon, Selsdon or New Addington, sends it to a local foodbank for a family who might be struggling this Christmas. The foundation takes it from there.
More on the foundation’s work is at rowlandbrothersfoundation.com.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Rowland Brothers Foundation Christmas appeal collect?
Unopened advent calendars and new toys. The foundation passes them to local foodbanks to help families who might be struggling this Christmas.
Where can I drop off an advent calendar or toy in Croydon?
At any Rowland Brothers branch, including the head office at 299-303 Whitehorse Road, Purley, Beddington, Old Coulsdon, New Addington and the JB Shakespeare and Selsdon & District branches. Eleven drop-off points are listed in the article.
When does the collection run?
The foundation’s poster says collections take place throughout October and November.
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