Help us to spread some comfort and joy this festive season.

It’s just 62 days until Christmas! . . .

 . . . and we’re looking forward to a season of comfort and joy where our Members, customers and colleagues support children and families who are experiencing difficult times this year.

Our Toy Appeal 2025 runs from Wednesday 12th November - Saturday 13th December. Throughout the appeal you’ll find Toy Donation Points in all Central Co-op Stores where you can drop off your donations whenever you’re visiting us.

We’ll be popping up at a selection of stores to raise awareness of the Toy Appeal, provide a chance to chat with our store colleagues and build some much-needed cheer in the lead up to Christmas.

During these visits you’ll get to taste samples from our delicious festive product range - including Gingerbread & Maple Mince Pies, Irresistible Giant Cinnamon Knots, Fruited and spiced stollen,  Black Forest Brownies and Irresistible Roast Duck & Spiced Clementine Crisps!

See our Pop-up Festive Event programme below.

As in previous years, we’ll donate what we collect to local charities close to our stores and we’ll also work with national charities to deliver gifts to families in need further afield.

We only ask that donations are brand new and don't reference war or violence in any way – so, no toy weapons or fighting games.  Our charities also suggest we avoid gifts that are edible or that demand ongoing costs e.g. anything battery operated or requiring additional purchases to enjoy them – such as video games and DVDs.

 Supporting children and their families all year round.

In addition to our Toy Appeal which enables Members and customers to donate toys to local charities supporting children experiencing poverty, we’re committed to a variety of initiatives designed to lessen the impact of the cost-of-living on disadvantaged families across our trading area.

We support the families of children in need in many ways

We continue to stay ahead of the minimum wage and offer colleagues financial support and flexibility through our partner Wagestream and flexible rewards.

Our food surpluses are made available free of charge via Olio, and our schools programmes support children’s educational experiences, we have awarded community grants to many projects supporting children, young people, and their families.  Finally, we are supporting young people’s health and wellbeing through our partnerships with Samaritans and Child Bereavement UK.

 Let’s make it a season of comfort and joy for everyone.