Help make it a Christmas cracker! Toy appeal hopes to bring joy to struggling families

Rochdale Borough Council is now collecting donations to this year’s Christmas Toy Appeal, which helps make sure local children who are less fortunate have presents to open on Christmas Day.

The annual appeal, organised by the council’s staff-run ‘Giving Back’ charity for the past nine years is accepting donations until 9 December.

Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The cost of living crisis is putting budgets under more pressure so we know Christmas will be really tough for many families. Sadly our Christmas Toy Appeal is needed more than ever, but each year we see so much heart-warming generosity. I know it’s a challenging time but if you can buy just one extra present then you’ll really bring some joy to a local young person.”

To help, all you need to do is donate an unwrapped, new gift suitable for a child up to 16 years-old and leave it at your local library or Your Trust leisure centre by 9 December. Gifts for babies and teenagers would be especially welcome as fewer were received for these age groups last year. There are also extra collection points open at the Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure destination (management office on first floor and The Works), Browns Jewellers, Touchstones Rochdale and the Crown Oil Arena. 

Council staff, who distributed over 6,000 toys last year, will make sure they reach the borough’s less fortunate children in time for Christmas Day. Toys are matched with the age and interests of the recipient. Since 2014 the appeal has provided much needed festive cheer for thousands of children and teenagers.

Council policy advisor Helen Walton, from the Giving Back charity, added: "Every donation we receive goes to a child who would otherwise likely not have any presents to unwrap on Christmas Day. The appeal depends on the generosity of people and businesses in our borough, and every year I am so proud of how many care enough to donate. We’ve already had kind offers of support and we’re going to need it. Our aim is to make sure every child in the borough wakes up on Christmas morning with presents waiting for them and with your help we will do everything we can to make this happen.”

As Christmas raises awareness of the excess and waste created, once again organisers are asking people to consider donating a more environmentally friendly gift and supporting local shops where they can.

You can also order a gift online and send it straight to the appeal. The address is: Giving Back - Christmas Toy Appeal, Rochdale Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU. Gifts will need to have been received by Friday 9 December.

The appeal is organised by the council’s ‘Giving Back’ charity in partnership with Action Together, Rochdale Football Club, Your Trust and Rochdale Town Centre Management.

Some local businesses and organisations have already stepped up to support the appeal, including JGM Agency, The Works, Browns Jewellers, Rochdale Football Club, Rochdale Riverside and Your Trust.

If your business wishes to support the appeal then please contact the team on toycollection2022@rochdale.gov.uk

Find out more about the appeal at rochdale.gov.uk/christmas