A CHILDREN’S charity has desperately appealed for new committee members in the face of closure.

Colchester Toy Library, which was set up in 1984, has seen a number of volunteers unable to continue over the past year.

The service, which loans toys to children across Colchester who often come from disadvantaged families, needs a chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Volunteer Tom Thomasson said if the posts weren’t filled then the charity would have to look to close in the new year.

He said: “The people who were running it before were not able to give the same level of commitment they previously did because of personal reasons.

“A lot of our key members need to be replaced.

“We still very much want to continue the toy library as we realise it offers a really good support for the community and families.”

Colchester Toy Library used to operate out of Cowdray Avenue but moved to new premises two years ago.

Since then it has been running at Prettygate Library three times a week. As well as offering a resource to parents and childminders to borrow toys they couldn’t otherwise afford, the centre loans out soft play equipment for parties.

An extraordinary meeting of members has been called and will be held tonight to help decide the future of the charity.

The current chairperson, secretary and treasurer have agreed to continue in the role temporarily until February providing new members can be found.

However, if the roles are not filled by then, Mr Thomasson said it was likely the charity would close.

He said: “We are looking at trying to sustain the charity.

“It was set up to provide families and the community with a place to get together and a safe place for children to stay.

“It was also for people who believed in promoting a more sustainable environment, which is why we reuse and recycle the toys rather than buying new ones.

“We are aware how expensive it can be for families to buy new toys for young children and we would like to continue the charity for them and for the community.”

Colchester Toy Library’s extraordinary meeting is being held tonight at the Prettygate Pub, in The Commons, Colchester, from 7.30pm and all are welcome.

If you would like to help and want to hear more about the roles available, email colchestertoylibrary@gmail.com.

You can also speak to a volunteer direct by attending the toy library, which runs on Tuesdays, 10am to 12.30pm, Wednesdays, 10am to 3pm and Fridays 10.30am to 11.45am.