Tesco customers can spread festive joy by gifting toys this Christmas

Tesco customers have the opportunity to give new toys to local children who need it most this Christmas. 

From November 3 to December 15, large Tesco stores across the UK are holding toy collections for new and unwrapped toys purchased in store which local charities will then distribute to children who may otherwise go without.

Each local beneficiary has been chosen by store colleagues who in many cases have built up a connection during the year through their store’s community work.

Customers donating at Leicester Extra will see their new and unwrapped toys go to Christ the King Church which is looking to support local families this Christmas.

Store Community Champion Pari Thanki said:“We are pleased to be able to again support the local community by providing toys to those children who will wake up on Christmas morning with very little. We already support Christ the King with food donations and look forward to working with them again this year to put a smile on children’s faces.”

Customers at Newcastle Extra meanwhile will see their donated toys given to Pathways 4 All, a local charity in the North East which provides leisure activities for children with special needs. The charity organises a gift appeal each year for families facing financial hardship.

Store community champion Joanne Cooper said:“We look forward to our toy donation appeal every year. It’s such a special way to spread a little Christmas magic and bring the community together. Thanks to the amazing generosity of our customers and colleagues we can help make sure every child connected with Pathways 4 All has a reason to smile this Christmas.”

Other organisations across the UK which stand to benefit are Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice which provides care for children suffering life limiting conditions, Amelia’s Rainbow which supports families of disabled children with grants for mobility equipment, and Caister Community Larder which provides food for local families in need. A wide range of children’s hospital wards, local foodbanks and the Salvation Army are also set to benefit.

Tesco Head of Communities Claire De Silva said:“Our stores are committed to supporting local children and their communities year-round, and thanks to the generosity of our customers and colleagues, the annual toy donation campaign is a wonderful way to make a difference at Christmas. It’s great to see stores partnering with charities local to them to ensure that every child experiences the magic of Christmas.”

Over 800 large Tesco stores across the UK will have a dedicated donation point where customers can donate new and unwrapped toys that have been purchased in store. Last Christmas Tesco customers donated a total of 125,000 toys, with the retailer looking to beat that number this year.

ENDS

* Some store donation points may close before December 15 if the local beneficiary has requested the toys earlier for local distribution.