How did it all begin?

Ok, let me explain how it all started; It is such a simple concept really and all started from one boy and one girl toy! Each year my wife and I would buy a couple of toys and then donate them to whoever was collecting that year. One year it was BRMB, the next it was West Brom building society and so on. Then, my wife’s workplace held a collection for a local family centre, so we joined in.

We decided to make it a regular thing and Santa’s A Gangster was born! Yes, I know it’s an unusual name, but it suits everyone involved with the project. Our collections come from far and wide and encompasses the VW community. A few years later, I was introduced to Operation Santa, where I instantly felt the warmth connection and passion from Eileen Fielding and her colleagues. We put our heads together and have worked hard to make it what it is today.

The help and support along the way has been amazing and each year, we launch the event at the VDubs in the Valley show, which is owned and operated by Garry Beerbuz Aulton and his wife Hayley. Not only do they host a Christmas party for us, but they also run a reverse Santa (where you bring the gifts to fill the raffle car) and auction off a host of gifts that are donated by their many generous traders.

As it has grown, Gary and Bill became ambassadors to Santa’s A Gangster and this year we have welcomed Lee Ashbourne to the team who is going to be dealing with the Techie side of things whilst ensuring his WVVW group are kept busy collecting toys and raising essential funds. None of this would be possible without you though, and we welcome you all, regardless of your reason; our network is nothing without you!

A penny or a pound, a bar of soap or a pallet of shower gel; we have had it all and believe me every single donation makes a difference. We will be keeping this site updated over the coming weeks and months, adding details of drop-off points for donations, special fund-raising events and so much more, so make sure you keep on popping back!

As always, this year’s raffle will be held at the Crosswells Pub on Whyley Walk in Oldbury, where Paul and Tina Archer always make us welcome. Thankfully, COVID restrictions are a thing of the past, so we can make a real night of it and celebrate in style, just like we used to!

Thanks in advance – Magic & Co.