On a mission to bless as many children as possible this Christmas, The Doncaster Children’s Christmas Toy Appeal- which all started from a local mans living room, is aiming to beat last year’s target.
The volunteer ran organisation accepts toys for children from ages 0-18 at 35 drop-off points in and around Doncaster. They then sort through the toys before handing them to the Salvation Army, where they get donated to social workers and children’s zones.
Doncaster resident Andry Crittenden, 44, has been running the foundation since 2011.
Crittenden said: “It started small, but over the last few years it’s only grown. It used to be more localised and we were working with small family-owned businesses as drop-off points. Now we work with local Tesco’s, Specsavers, and banks. It’s really amazing; we get a lot of local support.”
According to Crittenden, the Toy Appeal has been getting increased attention every year. He said: “We never have an aim for the number of toys, but just to outdo the previous year’s numbers.”
The foundation is entirely community-based, running the appeal only from their Facebook page.
Even during 2022, at a peak of the cost of living crisis, the foundation managed 1,406 toys.
Last year, the foundation gave 2,516 gifts to children on Christmas Day.
“We’re aiming for 3,000 gifts this year, but even if we don’t, we know we’re making a difference in people’s lives.
“The great thing about it is that everyone comes back every year to keep us going. Sometimes we get news done about us but other than that, it’s just the small businesses and residents spreading the word for the appeal, and putting posters up in their shops. And through this, we’ve grown by 800 gifts every year.”
Crittenden said: “I’ve never gotten direct feedback from the kids who get the gifts, but it’s about waking up on Christmas morning and knowing we’ve made someone’s Christmas, which is the reason for what we do.”
The partners and drop-off locations in Doncaster this year are:
- TSB Bank
- Sainsbury’s Frenchgate Centre
- Tesco Extra, Balby
- Nuffield Health
- SPAR Intake
- SPAR Auckley
- SPAR Barnby Dun
- SPAR Tickhill
- Wilsic Road Day Nursery
- Centurion Europe Ltd
- Alverley Fisheries
- Balby Central Primary Academy
- Bella’s Butties
- Planet of Vapes
- Rossington Early Learners
- Specsavers Mexborough
- Specsavers Armthorpe
- Specsavers Thorne
ACMAC Martial Arts Balby - ACMAC Martial Arts Rossington
- ACMAC Martial Arts Carcroft
- ACMAC Martial Arts Stainforth
- ACMAC Martial Arts Mexborough
- Fellowes Ltd
- Doncaster Police Station
- SARIA Ltd
- Hill House School
- Doorway to Dorkness
- Hatfield Woodhouse Primary School
- Wadworth Primary, Meadow Rise
- Slug & Lettuce
- Inspire Doncaster Ltd
- Sugar Junky