Wests Tigers spread Christmas joy at annual Toy Drive

Wests Tigers were able to spread Christmas joy during the club’s annual Christmas Toy Drive at Campbelltown and Liverpool hospitals on Tuesday.

Started back in 2016, the Wests Tigers Christmas Toy Drive has grown each year and was again a raging success this time around.

Wests Tigers teamed up with Wahu, who donated the toys for the special event, allowing players from the NRL and Harvey Norman Women's Premiership squads to deliver the toys to families in pediatric wards at Sydney’s south west hospitals.

Wests Tigers captain James Tamou spoke about how important the toy drive is to the club.  

“This event is so important to us — to be able to put some smiles on kids’ faces,” Tamou said.

“We had a couple hundred presents to give out, thanks to Wahu.

“Wests Tigers do this every year, and when I heard that it was coming up, I put my hand straight up.”

Wests Tigers Foundation Ambassador Pat Richards also had the chance to hand out some of the Christmas presents at the hospitals.

“It’s been a really hard couple of years with COVID, so to be able to come down with the Wests Tigers Foundation to put a smile on everyone’s face is about what we do in enriching the lives of the community,” Richards said.

“This is what the Wests Tigers Foundation is all about — going into the community to help people. We’re very fortunate to put smiles on people’s faces.”

Allied Health Director Loretta Andersen thanked Wests Tigers for their support

“Wests Tigers is such an important part of this community and they bring great joy to many fans across this region, including at the hospital,” Andersen said.

“We thank them for their time and spreading Christmas cheer to the children, some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

“Christmas is a special time for us at the hospital and the opportunity to meet some of the players brought great excitement and joy to many people.”