What we do In Community Children at Christmas Children at Christmas BECAUSE CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME Currently over 14 million people live in poverty in the UK, 4 million of those are children. Can you imagine getting to an exciting time in the year and wondering how on earth you can afford to treat your children at Christmas? Unfortunately this is the reality for many families and since 1996, we have been reaching out to underprivileged families working in partnership with a number of churches in Derby through donations of new toys for boys and girls between the ages of 0-17. TOY DONATIONS - 1,005 CHILDREN BLESSED IN 2017 In 2017 1,005 children received a bag of Christmas presents kindly donated by local churches, businesses and the general public. We were blown away by people helping at Christmas. We were able to celebrate when we didn’t think we would be able to! HOW CAN I BE INVOLVED? From autumn, we start collecting toy donations to be sorted into age groups from mid November and distributed to families by early December onwards. Here are the ways you can be involved: 1. Buy new toys for children to donate. All presents welcome for 0-17 year olds. Please give at the collection box at Sainsbury’s Argos at Osmaston Park, DE24 8EB (located to the rear of the store) or bring them to our Charnwood Street offices. Please call us on 01332 460346 in advance if delivering to our offices. Donations gratefully received before Monday 17th December 2. No time to buy? We can buy them for you. Donate now and tag your donation 'Christmas Connection' 3. Part of a school/church? Why not arrange a 'Toy Harvest' assembly or service and gather new toys 4. Want to help sort through donations? Be a Volunteer between November - mid December and help bag donation Email [email protected] for more information about collections for donated gifts Click here to see a list of suitable presents per age group. Thank you for all the presents and well done for working so hard. I took presents to one family and the children were jumping and screaming with excitement when they saw the presents. Their mum wishes to thank you so much for bringing a smile to her children’s faces. Together, let's make a difference.