The Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Mims Davies, has attended an event organised by the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), and thanked them and their members for donating to a toy library run by the YMCA group in Eastleigh.
Commenting Mims said:
“I was delighted to be able to meet with representatives from the British Toy and Hobby Association to personally thank them (and Santa!) for donating to the toy library in Eastleigh, which is run by our local YMCA Group.”
“The work that the YMCA do across my constituency is amazing, and I was thrilled to nominate it to receive these gifts which will bring so much joy to so many young people in our area.”
YMCA Fairthorne Group is a local community charity, delivering services to over 40,000 children, young people and families across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Built on a social enterprise model, all income generated goes directly back into funding local community projects and initiatives - from supported housing to vulnerable 16-25 year-olds, to the groups renowned annual Young Carers Festival.
Commenting further, Mims said:
“I was also pleased to speak more broadly with representatives about the challenges facing the Toy and Hobby Industry in the UK.”
“As a mother of two young girls I recognise the importance of ensuring that toys are safe and meet the very high standards that the industry here in the UK continues to meet. I was therefore interested to hear that counterfeiting, particularly through large global organisations, is often putting that reputation - and the safety of our young people – at risk. I have therefore agreed to look further into what the Government can do to curb this practice.”
The BTHA promotes the highest standards of safety and quality in the manufacture of toys, games and playthings, whilst also promoting best practice in all areas of the toy business.
As the official organisation representing manufacturers for Britain’s £4.2 billion toy industry, the BTHA event brought together member businesses based across the UK, Members of Parliament, Peers and wider industry stakeholders to celebrate the growth of the sector and the important contribution of quality, safe toys to the fabric of our UK society.