OurCoop
Support OurCoop’s Christmas Toy Appeal 2026
Support local families in need with our Christmas Toy Appeal by donating a gift.
How you can help
Our Toy Appeal supports local families in need and we’re looking forward to making the season merrier and brighter for children and families facing difficult times this year.
But we need your help. Until the 11th December, we’re inviting you to bring a gift donation to any OurCoop store, funeral home, travel agency or nursery the next time you visit.
We’re accepting brand new toys, crafts, toiletries and games that will bring children some joy this Christmas.
How does it work?
The appeal presents two opportunities
Toy Donation Points in all OurCoop sites where people can drop off donations whenever they’re visiting us. This also gives us the opportunity to build on our local community relationships and connect with new charities
Festive Toy Van Tour where we ‘pop-up’ at a selection of sites to say hello to our members and customers, sharing updates and festive food tasting and generally bringing some festive cheer to our local communities.
Where do the donations go?
Local giving
We work with local charities and Food Banks to strengthen our relationship with communities and to ensure that local families receive some benefit as donations are shared where they are needed most.
Local charities have previously included - Salcare Food Bank, Clay Cross foodbank, HELP Peterborough, Lichfield Family Hub, Heart of Marston, HELP Peterborough, The Hope Centre, The Welcome Centre, Rainbows, Stafford Food Bank, Bassetlaw Council Food Bank, Kettering Food Bank, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Living Hope Chesterfield, Bungay Community Support, Derby City Mission, Thongsbridge Church, Trussell Trust Food Bank, Jigsaw Foodbank Wirksworth, Leeway Domestic abuse and violence services, Chesterfield Food Bank, Elaine’s Toy & Gift Appeal, Lichfield.
What to donate
We ask that donations are brand new and don’t reference war or violence in any way – so, no toy weapons or fighting games.
Our charities also suggest we avoid gifts that are edible or that demand ongoing costs e.g. anything battery operated or requiring additional purchases to enjoy them – such as video games and DVDs.
We’d also happily accept toiletries and books from the schools’ curriculum.
Can I donate cash?
We’re encouraging people to take the time and care to donate a physical toy or game and not to give cash, however, if donating money is the only optioin, we’ll have a collection pot on the Festive Toy Van and will use the cash collected to buy new toys to donate to our partner charities.
Frequently asked questions
Why are we doing this appeal?
Each year throughout November and December, we organise a Toy Appeal simply to support families in the communities we serve and to make the season a little merrier and brighter for everyone.
Members, customers and colleagues are invited to donate new toys and games which we then share with families in need either through existing local relationships or via regional charity partner organisations.
The Toy Appeal brings joy to many and provides a positive experience for OurCoop as a Society embedded in its community.
