Belfast Christmas pre-loved toy appeal to help struggling families

Members of the public are being asked to donate pre-loved toys in order to support local families as Belfast City Council launches its Christmas toy appeal.

The council first launched its pre-loved toy appeal in 2022 at recycling centres across the city and it has since gone on to help more than 700 families each year.

Belfast residents are being asked to donate toys and other items in order to help struggling families during the cost of living crisis to any of the city’s four recycling centres - Alexandra Park Avenue (re-opening Thursday 14 November), Blackstaff Way, Ormeau, or Palmerston Road - between now and Sunday 15 December. Staff at each centre will direct donors to designated re-use areas for drop-off.

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The council has partnered with the East Belfast Mission to help deliver the appeal with the pre-loved toys collected being sold affordably or distributed to families most in need. East Belfast Mission will coordinate with other charity partners to ensure the donations reach those in greatest needed.

Councillor Ruth Brooks, Chair of People and Communities Committee, said: “The pre-loved toy appeal is a fantastic initiative that brings people together to support families across our city. It’s inspiring to see so many residents participating in such a meaningful way. This appeal not only provides much-needed support to families during the holidays but also showcases the power of reusing items to benefit our community and environment. I encourage everyone to donate and make a difference for children in Belfast this Christmas.”

A range of items can be donated, including bikes, scooters, dolls, prams, jigsaws, board games, books, boxed games, consoles, and DVDs. All donations should be clean, complete, in good working order, and suitable for children of all ages.

To ensure distribution before Christmas, donations should be made by Sunday 15 December.

East Belfast Mission is also seeking volunteers to help sort toys for distribution. Anyone interested can sign up on the East Belfast Mission website at: https://ebm.org.uk/contact-us/

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