Families across Britain are being asked to make room for Christmas and donate their children’s unwanted treasures to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), as the charity deals with bumper demand for toys, boardgames and puzzles this festive season.
To help encourage donations, the charity has released a series of images where cheeky elves can be seen guiding toys to the nearest BHF shop including jumping into a doll’s car to offer directions to the nearest BHF shop, dusting off board games and firing up a helicopter to hoist cuddly toys out of their basket.
The elves’ endeavours come as the charity has said demand for second hand toys has increased and the BHF urgently needs quality donations to keep shops stocked with second hand gifts for Christmas.
The BHF is calling on families who might be clearing out the toy boxes and cupboards to make room for Christmas by donating their unwanted items so another child can enjoy a preloved treasure.
Whether it’s a Barbie that never made it out of the box, a Lego set your child has outgrown, or a puzzle they no longer use, the charity is encouraging the public to drop them off at their local BHF shop and send them to a new home.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the BHF says, “Christmas is an incredibly expensive time of year especially for families. BHF shops are a fantastic place to pick up gifts for all the family at a fraction of the price.
“We’re already seeing an increased demand for toys and games ahead of the festive season. So, as you start decluttering to make room for Christmas in your home, please consider donating unwanted toys, games and puzzles to the BHF for new families to enjoy.
“I’ll be asking my own boys to fill a box with pre-loved toys and games that they’d want another child to enjoy as much as they did. As well as making another child’s Christmas, every item will give a gift that keeps on living by funding vital research to help the 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK.”
Donating to the British Heart Foundation is easy. Simply drop your toys off at any of the BHF’s 680 shops or you can post them using the BHF’s free downloadable label, available from its website.
BHF Retail Ambassador Dr Helen Nuttall, founder of What Luna Wore and mum of one, is supporting the toy donation drive and said: “My daughter and I have really enjoyed making room for Christmas by sorting out toys and games we no longer play with to donate to the British Heart Foundation.
“Knowing that these toys will find a new home in time for Christmas and help fund vital research into heart and circulatory diseases is special.
“Donating to charity increases dopamine and makes you feel good, as might the rewarding activity of shopping preloved. The festive season can be a time of excess so if you’re looking for a gift that means more, consider checking out your local BHF shop for Christmas treasures.”
“If you donate to the BHF, you’ll make someone else’s day by giving your toys a new home and a new lease of life. Let’s help the elves dust off our pre loved toys and generously donate them to find a new home this Christmas.”
Christopher’s top tips for donating toys:
- If you can, make sure board games and puzzles have all the pieces in the box before donating them. A missing ‘Z’ in a Scrabble set can stand in the way of winning or losing and we don’t want to be responsible for that!
- The exception to the tip above is sets of Lego or Duplo – incomplete sets of these toys are very popular and still generate lots of fun..
- Save your batteries and remove them from toys and games before donating them – we will still test them before they are placed on sale.
- Everyone loves to hear stories behind pre loved teddy bears. They’ll always find a warm new home and someone to love them.
- If you have collectable toys to donate, they can be valuable in any condition – so don’t leave them behind when you donate.
To donate or shop with the British Heart Foundation this festive season and give a gift that keeps on living, visit bhf.org.uk/Christmas