Christmas Toy Appeals

Sprinkle some extra Joy this Christmas

Christmas is a time for giving, and this year more than ever, there are families who need our support!

It’s been a tough year for all but some more than others and many families are struggling to afford even the bare essentials let alone Christmas presents. Parents have lost their jobs, or had their hours reduced and their income severely diminished, leaving them scrimping and saving just to pay the bills and afford basic food and they certainly won’t be enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner with all of the trimmings! But by giving a gift this Christmas we can help make a difference to these families life’s. If there was ever a time for giving, this is it! Giving is at the very heart of the meaning of Christmas. We’ve pulled together a list of charities and organisations working tirelessly and selflessly to collect much-needed gift donations and help give these families and children some fun and joy this festive season.

Norah’s North Pole

Set up in memory of their grandma, whose life motto was ‘it’s nice to be nice’, the family behind Norah’s North Pole saw a need in their local community and wanted to help. As children their grandma, Nora, would take them shopping, giving them £5 each to buy a present for a child of the same age who wouldn’t be getting anything for Christmas.  She taught them about the gift of giving and that you should always do what you can for those less fortunate. Their aunty, who is a social worker, would take their gift boxes and distribute them on Christmas day. When Norah passed away, it only seemed fitting to continue the tradition she had started! So they come together as a family each year to give to children who would otherwise think Santa had forgotten them. The family work with a network of local social workers, teachers, headteacher, and governors to identify those children who would otherwise not receive Christmas presents and together they make and collect toy donations, filling Santa Sacks to give to the parents who in turn can play ‘Santa’. If you’d like to contribute then donations can be ordered via Amazon here and there are various drop-off points around the North East. In particular they are in need of soft toys, baby blankets, board games and warm scarves.

Little Village

As parents we know our kids best, and choosing what to buy them for Christmas, making a wish for a special toy come true and watching them unwrap that gift with delight, is one of the best things about the festive season. But for some parents that just isn’t possible. London based, Little Village, is like a food bank but for clothes, toys and equipment for babies and children up to the age of five. This year, instead of making a physical donation, they are asking people to buy a gift voucher, which they will then beautifully package up, with a personal message from yourself or your child and send to those parents in need so that they can enjoy the magic of picking and giving a gift that really matters to their child. The charity is on track to double the number of people they helped last year but want to provide gifts for 1,000 babies and children across the capital so if you can help please visit https://littlevillagehq.org/christmas/

Winter Toy Appeal

The Winter Toy Appeal is run by Hackney based, Local Buyers Club, which supports independent retailers in London. Now in it’s seventh year, the organisation donated to 4,000 children last year, across Hackney, Islington, Tower Hamlets and Haringey. In previous years, they’ve collected and distributed the gifts themselves but due to Covid they are asking people to donate online via their specially curated Amazon wish list or Go Fund Me page – all proceeds raised will be used to purchase gifts from Independent Shops in the group so you will also be helping small businesses in the process! Alternatively, if you live in the area, a number of local shops are offering 20% off Toy Appeal purchases – simply pop in and leave your purchase in-store for collection. https://www.localbuyersclub.com/winter-toy-appeal

KidsOut Giving Tree

Charity, KidsOut, specifically supports children in refuge homes who have escaped domestic violence, and who have often been forced to flee their homes quickly, leaving all of their possessions behind. Without Giving Tree these children may not otherwise receive a gift at Christmas. Last year a record breaking 1,472 organisations signed-up, resulting in 23,000 toys being distributed to children in refuge. This year they have created an online shop where you can choose and donate a present based on the most toys most requested by the children themselves! https://www.kidsout.org.uk/giving-tree/

Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal

Over the years millions of children and young people have benefited from gifts donated by The Salvation Army. Toy donations are being accepted up until mid-December. Take a look at the website to find your local drop-off centre or donate online via Just Giving or Amazon. They are also collecting food parcels and hampers. https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/christmas-present-appeal

This Mama Does

Being all too aware of how many people were struggling this year, purveyor of mama merch, This Mama Does, launched her own campaign to help. She felt that alone, it was difficult to be able to make much of a difference, but together we would have so much more of an impact. So she is asking businesses to collectively donate products, services and platforms. She will then connect them up with a small charity where these donations can most help. Where one small brand can perhaps only give a couple of toys or pair of pyjamas, when added to some books, towels or toiletries from another that’s a package for someone who desperately needs it. She also has a really useful list of resources on her website to help individuals locate local charities. http://www.thismamadoes.co.uk/charity/

Wood Street Mission Christmas Appeal

One such toy appeal helped by This Mama Does is the Wood Street Mission. Having been in operation for 150 years, the charity is well known within Manchester and Salford for it’s annual Christmas appeal, receiving messages from people who hold precious childhood memories of Christmas at Wood Street. Last year they helped 1,430 families, giving out an incredible 12,000 toys and treats in just three weeks equating to 4,000 happy children but like all of the charities, they need help more than ever this year and are taking donations up until Friday 11th December. https://www.woodstreetmission.org.uk/our-projects/christmas/

Choose Love

The Choose Love store sells real products for refugees. How it works is that you choose what you want to send and the charity then deliver those items to the people who most need them. It’s not about toys, but about vital resources and emergency supplies, things that will keep them warm, safe and protected, from hot meals to mental health support. When your home is a tent or a makeshift shelter, sometimes for years, what seems like a simple item to so many of us can make a huge difference to others on the long road to rebuilding their lives! You can also add your own custom message of support, encouragement and love. https://choose.love/