Bringing Christmas cheer: Tesco launches nationwide toy donation appeal

Tesco has launched a toy donation campaign to help ensure every child has something to smile about on Christmas morning.

Running until 15 December, the appeal is taking place in over 800 large Tesco stores across the UK.

How the toy appeal works

Taking part is simple:

• buy a new, unwrapped toy
• drop it off at the clearly marked donation point in any participating Tesco store
• the toys are passed on to participating local charities and organisations that support families in need

• these groups then distribute the gifts to children who might otherwise miss out at Christmas.

Where your donations go?

In Leicester, donations will go to Christ the King Church, which supports families in need over the holidays, while in Bury, the toys will be passed to the Growing Together Radcliffe Support Centre, which will then distribute them to local children.

At Newcastle Extra, donations will benefit Pathways 4 All, a North East charity providing leisure activities for children with special needs.

Last year, more than 125,000 toys were donated through Tesco’s appeal. This year, the retailer hopes to surpass that amount.

How to get involved if you can’t afford a donation

Not everyone is in a position to buy and donate a toy and that’s absolutely okay. You can still make a meaningful difference this Christmas.

• Volunteer your time - many of the charities receiving donations rely on volunteers to sort, wrap, or distribute toys. Even just a couple of hours can make a big impact.
• Spread the word - sharing the appeal on social media, in local groups, or simply telling friends and family helps increase donations and support.
• Support community events - local churches, community centres and neighbourhood groups often run gift drives or festive events where an extra pair of hands is invaluable.
• Donate skills instead of money - some organisations appreciate help with admin, transport, or event support, and there’s no spending required.
• Offer pre-loved items where accepted - while Tesco’s appeal only accepts new toys, many local charities welcome good-quality pre-loved items that can be rehomed.

Even small acts of kindness help brighten a child’s Christmas.

Tesco isn’t alone. Across the country, charities, churches, community groups and other supermarkets are stepping up with their own toy appeals and Christmas schemes.

Together, they’re working to make sure no child wakes up empty-handed on Christmas morning.

Finding free or low-cost Christmas presents

If you’re looking for support this year, help is available. There are many places nationwide offering free or very low-cost gifts for children at Christmas, from community toy banks to charity schemes.