So when this year’s campaign kicked off in October, she knew she had to do more to get involved.

Linley-Thomas teamed up with local stylist Wendy Hind. “We decided to meet and see what we could do together with our common ground and passion for fashion. Both being moms, we decided to do a fundraiser for Toy Story as our first project. Within days we had gathered some of SA's finest who jumped in and were only too happy to get involved,” says Linley-Thomas 

Hosted at Masterchef SA celeb, Joani Mitchell’s home in La Lucia, The Perfectly Packed Workshop combined high tea with fashion flair.

Dozens of women joined Linley-Thomas, Hind and fellow hosts, bra fitting expert, Liza Clifford; beauty and accessory fundi, Lauren Ginn; hair stylist, Fay Abdulla; Durban fashion designer, Carol Clark; and singer Holly Wasserfall at the event on Friday, 4 December. “This is for the precious, little people of our province,” says Linley-Thomas who hosts the Noon to 15:00 show on East Coast Radio on weekdays.

“As a mum, this campaign tugs at my heartstrings. It resonates on so many levels. When you walk into a hospital and you know that some of the children there will not be leaving any time soon, and when you see an empty chair next to their bed, you just know that you have to do more to help, to get involved, to make a difference,” says Linley-Thomas. 

“It was a morning of great love and open, caring hearts,” she adds. By the time the last guest had left, the event succeeded in raising R22 254 for East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game.

Every cent of the money is being used to buy food parcels for child-headed homes across the province. Each food parcel feeds a family of four people for six weeks.

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game wraps up on Tuesday, 15 December.

For more information, visit www.ecr.co.za. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.