The toy drive is the brainchild of Optus Territory general manager for North West and Mid North Coast Chris Simon after his nine-year-old daughter Aviana joined him on a visit to an evacuation centre at Telegraph Point.

Aviana said there were lots of great things the evacuation centre was providing the community, but noticed there were no toys.

Mr Simon engaged Optus' corporate sustainability team to set up a toy drive. The toy drive was promoted across Optus' main Sydney campus, encouraging employees to donate toys such as board games, puzzles and card games.

More than seven boxes of toys were collected.

"When I first walked into the evacuation centre at Telegraph Point, I thought to myself, how nice is it that people have donated all this stuff?" she said.

"I was looking at the kids and they looked so sad. I wanted to cheer them up so that's when I thought to donate toys and games.

"I know how sad I'd be if I lost all my toys"

Optus is partnering with the Hope Shop in Port Macquarie to distribute the toys to those in need.

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