Help deliver Christmas joy to underprivileged children

If you haven’t yet donated to this year’s Big Toy Appeal you still have until 30 November to make a difference to a child’s Christmas.

The appeal brings together The Salvation Army and UK toy retailer The Entertainer to ensure as many children as possible, who might otherwise go without, can experience the joy of receiving a gift at Christmas. For each gift contributed at a local Entertainer store or online at  www.thetoyshop.com, The Entertainer will match the donation, doubling the number of toys shared with families who need support for Christmas.

Peter Litchfield is a supervisor at The Salvation Army’s warehouse in Northamptonshire, where donations to The Big Toy Appeal are delivered. He and his team sort and pack the gifts which are sent to Salvation Army churches who in turn distribute them to families in need in local communities across the country. 

Peter has been involved with The Big Toy Appeal since 2020 and says he looks forward to it every year.

He said: “Christmas is a special time of year, and it brings a lot of joy to the team at our warehouse when the toys come in from Entertainer stores. We pack them on dozens of pallets and as they leave us on their way to Salvation Army churches and centres around the UK, we visualise the kids’ faces when they receive a present on Christmas Day. 

“It’s great to be a small part of something that brings a bit of joy to families and children who may not otherwise be able to afford to give them anything at this time of the year. 

“We know times are tough for so many people, but we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated a toy through their local Entertainer store or online so far. Your generosity will make such a difference to children who would otherwise go without.”

Since The Big Toy Appeal started in 2018, the generosity of customers of The Entertainer has seen more than 100,000 toys donated to vulnerable families.

The Big Toy Appeal will run in all UK stores, as well as online, until Saturday 30 November. For more information, visit www.thetoyshop.com/big-toy-appeal