Central Co-op's Toy Appeal collects over 7500 gifts

We continue to spread festive joy and cheer to communities across the UK through our much-loved Toy Appeal.

Through the sheer kindness and generosity of our Members, customers and colleagues, we've received over 7500 toys for our Christmas Toy Appeal. 

This year the we went out to even more stores with our Festive Toy Truck to pick up toys and bring a little moment of joy to our communities including Northfield, Ibstock, Boley Park, Oakham, Orton, Dodworth, Eccleshall, Ripley and Reepham.

Our colleagues were out in force to make our Members and customers welcome and share festive treats during their visit.

As in previous years, all donations are gifted to families across the country who need it most through a number of charity partners including.

 ·       Family Action, providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country.

·       Tackling Poverty Cambridge, running a Christmas Hamper project with Cambridge Food Bank, Cambridge Sustainable Food and Cambridge City Council to provide a hamper of delicious treats, fresh fruit and vegetables plus a gift for families in need.

·       The Salvation Army, creating lasting change for children threatened by abuse, violence, neglect and conflict.

·       Rainbows, caring for hundreds of families every year who have a child or young person with a serious or terminal illness.

Along with these charities, we continue to work with food banks local to our stores such as Hinckley and Yaxley.

 David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action, said: “Every family deserves comfort and joy at Christmas, but with the high costs of food and utilities, many will find their holiday season stressful and difficult and it does seem, this year, that Christmas magic is in short supply.

 This is where organisations like Central Co-op come in and we want to thank all of their Members, colleagues and customers for their extremely generous donations. With their support, more families will have a special gift for their children and together, we can keep the magic of Christmas alive.”

Even more goodwill

Also, in response to our Members selecting Shelter as a charity they’d like us to get behind this Christmas, we launched a new partnership to support the work Shelter does in providing information, care and advice to millions of people facing homelessness and experiencing unfit or unsafe housing.

From December and for a limited period, donations made by Members and customers through the ‘micro-donations’ charity, Pennies, will go to Shelter to support the incredible work they do nationally. 

Voluntary donations are made when people pay for their shopping or fuel by card and spend over £5.00. In the first week alone the Pennies initiative has already raised £7000 for Shelter.

Customers can expect to see offers on almost 100 products spread across weekly Star Deals found in our stores. A proportion from Star Deal sales will support the Billy Chip Foundation in their mission to make a positive change to the lives of homeless people. So far, our Star Deals have generated £18,000 for The BillyChip Foundation.

Members and customers can also continue to support by buying tokens that people experiencing homelessness can exchange for a food and drink at our stores, and several other participating outlets.

Goodwill to all