Bringing comfort and joy to families across the UK

We’re already half way through January (how time flies) and we wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude to everyone who supported our Toy Appeal 2025.

We were overwhelmed by the sheer generosity shown by our wonderful Members, colleagues, and customers. Together, we managed to collect close to 10,000 toys and games for families struggling to make ends meet. You’ve put smiles on the faces of so many children who would otherwise have gone without at Christmas.

We worked with a over 60 extraordinary charities who specialise in delivering help to families facing poverty. We are hugely grateful for their support and care.

This included -

·       Salcare Food Bank    

·       Clay Cross foodbank

·       HELP Peterborough  

·       Lichfield Family Hub

·       Heart of Marston

·       HELP Peterborough  

·       The Hope Centre       

·       The Welcome Centre             

·       Rainbows       

·       Stafford Food Bank   

·       Bassetlaw Council Food Bank          

·       Kettering Food Bank

·       Birmingham Children’s Hospital

·       Living Hope Chesterfield

·       Bungay Community Support

·       Derby City Mission

·       Thongsbridge Church

·       Trussell Trust Food Bank

·       Jigsaw Foodbank Wirksworth

·       Leeway Domestic abuse and violence services

·       Chesterfield Food Bank        

·       Elaine’s Toy & Gift Appeal

·       Plus many more!

Some of our partner charities have shared their thanks to you all.

“Thanks to Central Co-op for making Christmas warmer and brighter for the families we support every day.
Our service users were excited to receive so many wonderful gifts – you’ve brought happiness during a difficult time.”
Jane Calcott, Trustee, Kettering Foodbank

“Our wider Toy & Gift Appeal exceeded expectations this year in both donations received and donating to many more children and families.

 We simply cannot do this without the incredible support from businesses and the community. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Central Co-op for supporting what we do.

Bringing a community together and supporting locally is imperative and by supporting us this has shown just how important Central Co-op believes in the community. You are keeping the magic alive and making a difference.  Thank you all on behalf of the team and the children that benefit in so many ways from your kindness “
Elaine Hutchings, Elaine’s Toy & Gift Appeal, Lichfield

“A big thank you to the team at Central Co-op and your Members for the generous toy donation to the people we support every day. We work hard to help vulnerable children’s families all year round and, alongside your regular food donations, you've provided a welcome festive boost for so many people in Stafford. We had direct feedback from families who said your kind donations made their Christmas! We can’t say much more than that.

We look forward to working with you to help our communities this year too.”
Kerry, Co-odinator, Stafford Foodbank

We're privileged to have Members, customers and colleagues who truly care and provide continued support for the work we do every day to bring hope and joy to the communities we serve, whether that’s through the Toy Appeal, our Samaritans partnership, community events or funding for key initiatives like Our Malawi Partnership.  

A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in the enormous success that was our Toy Appeal for 2025.  This was only made possible due to the care and attention of the teams who helped to organise and deliver it - including our Membership and Community Councils supported by our MCROs, our board and executive team, our colleagues in stores, funeral homes and our support centre, plus our brilliant operations managers who dressed up and showed up at every Toy Van event.

We look forward to making this year’s appeal even bigger and brighter as a newly merged Society.

Here’s to the spirit of co-operation throughout 2026.